Black people simply voting for the Black candidate is NOT a victory

[journalist3072]

And I say this as a Black female.

Engaging in blind loyalty and simply voting for the Black candidate is NOT a victory.

The Obama camp made this a campaign about race, with Michelle Obama's "Black America will wake up and get it" and Barack Obama's "There's no doubt if we consolidate the Black vote, there would be a pround shift..."

I frankly am disappointed in my community...especially the ones who just eviscerated and slammed Tavis Smiley a few weeks ago, when he suggested that after falling in love with Obama, we need to hold him accountable. And Tavis took a lot of heat for suggesting we need to remember to hold Obama accountable.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

1. What about women voting for Hillary?

[malaise]

41. I agree with you in principle

but what about women and Hillary, mormons and Mitt?

[neutron]

153. Bill Maher predicted an O.J. Simpson outcome

and it has become a race about race - with Obama's blessing, judging from his
victory speech. It will be interesting to see if this creates a backlash among white voters,
who have up till now, not voted along racial lines. I seriously doubt it will have an
effect on white democrats. It would definitely effect right wing voters in a national election.

[GalleryGod]

173. Bill should see Dr. Drew ...

Belzer's Warning was about her...

Mrs. Edw. Bronfman, Jr.
a dalliance no one denies.

[EffieBlack]

204. What does O.J. Simpson have to do with Obama?

Oh, wait a minute.

Never mind. I know.

So, a black man beats two white people in an election is seen as comparable to a black man who murders two white people and gets away with it?

Interesting that Maher's and your minds would even go there.

[Evergreen Emerald]

215. is that what he means? Cause it is offensive.

I don't get his analogy.

[Skittles]

235. of course that's what he means

come on

[kikiek]

259. He is saying that the general election is where a backlash of prejudicial voting

against Obama is likely to occur. It isn't going to be among the democrats in the primaries. I don't think the OJ comparison was meant to be offensive. It is simply the most well known case where a very pronounced difference of opinion between races occurred in relation to his guilt or innocence. At least, once again, as portrayed by the media. Much of this was a backlash from what was perceived as blind support for OJ because of his race. That is where the comparison comes in. No one is saying Obama is anything like OJ. Personally I think it was a poor choice anyways. I think the real reason for the verdict was the way police handled the case.

[EffieBlack]

263. O.J. Simpson is NOT the only well known case with a pronounced difference of opinion

between the races.

Comparing a difference in opinion between the races in a case involving a sociopathic black man widely believed to have murdered two white people and a difference of opinion in an election involving a brilliant, accomplished black man who could possibly defeat white candidates is outrageous.

Comparing the two men for ANY reason is insulting, obnoxious and bigoted.

Sort of like if someone had compared Hillary Clinton to Eileen Warnous because both women were seen as threatening to some men.

Or comparing John Edwards to David Duke because both men got less than 5% of the black vote in a statewide election in a southern state.

[kikiek]

268. I don't say it is the only. Nor did I say it was right. And actually your comparisons are even

worse. Insulting two people who didn't have anything to do with what Bill Maher said really helps. Drag a couple more names through the mud.

[EffieBlack]

270. Of course my comparisons are insulting - just as insulting as the Obama/OJ comparison - that was my

point.

This wasn't about dragging anyone's name through the mud but to show just how insulting and gratuitous Bill Maher's comparison of OJ and Obama was by putting into the context of comparing the other candidates to despicable characters based on their racial/gender commonality.

[still_one]

267. The jury acquitted simpson based on the mishandling of the physical evidence

If you have physical evidence that has been contaminated, on what basis are you going to convict? gut feeling?

Bill Maher made a racist statement that he thought was cute

It was neither cute or applicable in this situation

maher can say anything he wants, and isn't required to substantiate his claims

[VotesForWomen]

94. there's a lot more diversity in women's votes. but it is understandable that women or blacks might

lean towards an otherwise acceptable female or black candidate. when we've had 43 black and female presidents the demand for color/race blindness will be a little more legitimate.

[Tweed]

104. Well Obama won the women vote

and they were 61% of the voters today. So what does this say for Hillary?

[boston bean]

179. They were made up of black women.

[enough already]

216. Why don't black women like your candidate then? n/t

[jackson_dem]

242. They did until the Clintons were swiftboated on race

[rodeodance]

127. Hill being a women may be factor-tiny, small, whatever-but one factor amongst many.

[Skittles]

234. what about everyone voting for white men

because that's all we've ever f***ing had? Funny how the subject only comes up when it's WIMMIN and BLACK FOLK

[jackson_dem]

243. Edwards is tied among white males nationally with Obama and Hillary

If 81% of them were voting for Edwards you would see more of a discussion of it.

[Skittles]

265. the point is

this shit never came up until a woman and a black man ran for president

[lligrd]

2. According to CNN - 38% of College Educated Whites

voted for him too.

[Kittycat]

3. Oh, but this race is about him being black. We can't talk about that.

What a bunch of race baiting republicans, these clintonites are.

[hayu_lol]

28. Thoughtful OP by Journalist...

Everytime we seem to get a thread that someone puts some thought into, the mindless rant of a Hillary hater contaminates it.

Journalist, for the most part I agree with you. On the other hand(As Tevya said on the bridge), this was something the people could do for themselves, by themselves, and no matter what else is involved--history has been made.

This was not a caucus, it was an election.

Congratulations to Sen. Obama.

[GalleryGod]

174. Journalist..crunch some numbers,please. TURNOUT

Senator Obama had more people cast a vote for him yesterday than the entire TOTAL of the 2004 Democratic Primary. As a party, we thus, doubled our turnout.

[boston bean]

180. 55% of the voters were black.

[enough already]

218. If only they didn't have the right to vote, right?

My God, you people are racists.

[pnwmom]

48. How many voted for the other candidates?

[hollowdweller]

4. Black folks turning out in large numbers if a nationwide trend is very good for the Dems in general.

It's always blown me away that states that have really large black populations by and large seem to send the most conservative white politicians to Washington.

[boston bean]

8. That is because they are not the majority. nt

[usregimechange]

5. He won the young adult whites

[loveangelc]

6. I have to say it's amazing how much you would actually marginalize someone who is black

as an african american, as THE black candidate, and I'm not even black.

Also, the majority of white young voters voted for Obama because he speaks more to us and our future.

[mtnsnake]

18. It's amazing you would actually tell her something like that

and try to marginalize her opinion for whatever reason you're doing it.

[Window]

167. I find what the OP said insulting and

offensive. And I say this as a Black woman.

As if I can't think for myself and would vote for someone just because he's black and I'm black. What nerve.

I'm a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and, believe me I can make up my own mind about a candidate.



Peace:thumbsup:

[readmoreoften]

43. So a Black poster isn't permitted to tell the truth about what she sees going on in her community?

So not deifying Obama is marginalizing him? That's how it is isn't it? Obama is either Superhuman or Marginalized. No one can just simply dislike him for his character and his ideas?

And where is the Black community going to be when this Politician God "works" with the Republicans in the spirit of "bipartisanship" to screw over Black folk? Where is the Black community going to be when, in for years, all the white Americans who voted for Obama pronounce that racism in America is over because a Black man has attained the highest office in the land?

All the horrible economic wounds that slavery and capitalism have unleashed on millions of Americans will be declared "over" in one symbolic act.

[loveangelc]

87. She called him "The Black Candidate" which is definitely a way or marginalizing him

as someone who is ONLY a black candidate and has no appeal to anyone else. I find that very sad.

[rodeodance]

115. Obama made himself the Black candidate for SC--now he will be the all people's

candidate once again.

[EffieBlack]

130. Obama made himself the black candidate?

You just keep believing that. At least until the Easter Bunny comes to your Magic Pumpkin patch to take you to Never Never Land on his unicorn.

[rodeodance]

132. he sure did. --but nothing wrong with that---he was SC. I see nothing wrong

in appealing to a certain population.

[guidod]

187. Please explain to me

how he made himself the black candidate. Bill and Hillary did that for him.

[Evergreen Emerald]

222. Obama made himself the black candidate when he decided to shout "Racism"

from the rooftops in an effort to solidify the SC black voting block against Clinton and for him. He and his surrogates used race to divide the democratic party along racial lines. After he lost in NH and Nevada, his momentum was waning. He was about to become a paragraph in history books, so he took the chance to shout racism knowing the media has not criticze him for anything and (like DU) will print any ugly derogatory thing about Clinton with no credible source. So they waited, and it did not take long.

Thye twisted and distorted Clinton's statement about "fairy tale" and said it was racist. They twisted and distorted Clinton's statement on MLK and shouted racism. And the media fanned the flames and the masses reacted.

[EffieBlack]

264. I missed the part where Obama "shouted racism" from the rooftops or anywhere else

You missed it, too, since it didn't happen.

[EFerrari]

73. Why are you surprised? That is the Clinton campaign's tactic

and people here are eating it with a spoon.

[Radical Activist]

164. Black people were supposed to have blind loyalty to Bill Clinton

How dare they think for themselves!

[sandnsea]

7. 52% of the under 30 white vote went Obama

So frankly, stuff it.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

19. why such a low number of young voters?

[boston bean]

181. white voters under thirty were only 1/20th of the electorate in the Dem SC primary.

[Colobo]

9. So Obama won because he's black? Fuck that.

[karlrschneider]

55. It's no better than if he had lost for the same reason.

:eyes:

[rodeodance]

123. Don't you get it?---Obama made himself the Black Candidate for SC

[boston bean]

182. 8 out of 10 of his votes were african american voters.

[jackson_dem]

245. When is the last time a white Democrat got 81% of the black vote in a presidential primary?

Demographics matter.

[Occam Bandage]

10. He did respectably among all groups. This was a blowout.

[BluegrassDem]

11. Obama wins more delegates and gets headlines...that counts as a "W" in my book

Get off your high horse! I'm a black man and it's a victory for everyone cause black people assessed the candidates and made their decisions. Remember, Hillary was leading in the polls by double digits in SC all last year. Where were you then? Black people took to Barack like people did in Iowa and even NH. Barack is a very appealing candidate and has a positive message. Why are you angry that black people voted for him? Why would any self respecting black person vote for that race baiting Bill Clinton!!??

[butterfly77]

36. When is he going to start getting into some details..

when the media finally starts puttin their foot in his ass.

[Hekate]

197. Another "details" post. Read what he has written. Read his position papers. Look at his record.

Too many details in speeches and the viewing audience falls asleep. Just ask Al Gore. And then the media can cherry pick, mock, and otherwise REALLY "start puttin their foot in his ass."

Can't win.

Hekate

[IsItJustMe]

213. It seems to me that if you like a candidate, and that candidate just happens to be the same race as

you, where is the problem? Seems like there is some screwed up thinking going on here.

I never see this issue brought up when white people vote for white politicains.

We need to get beyond all this somehow.

[enough already]

221. If our own party can't get past it, there isn't much hope. n/t

[tammywammy]

12. Darn, those under 30 white people didn't get the memo

Only blacks vote for Obama. :eyes:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

15. And all the black people in Iowa.

:rofl:

[tammywammy]

25. I know right

Man, my primary isn't until March, I wonder if they'll be sending out the memo before that. :shrug: But then what do I know I'm a college educated, white woman under 30 with an Obama '08 bumper sticker on my car. :crazy:

[Usrename]

82. lol - you're all alone out there on the outer fringe..

:rofl:

[enough already]

224. Hey, I see WHITE people in that crowd!

How can that be? The Hill-bots here insist only black people support Obama.

[Beartracks]

239. Hey, I see Hobbits in that crowd!

Two well-dressed little hobbits, standing to Obama's left... So he must've run as the "Hobbit candidate" in SC?



:silly:

[no name no slogan]

80. Hey, I know for a FACT

they BOTH caucused for GRAVEL.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

93. LOL!

[cali]

13. what a pathetic and low little fit you're having

disgusting. And Obama won 24% of the white vote in South Carolina in a 3 way race.

Take your whine and your ugliness and suck it up.

[IsItJustMe]

237. Tell it like it is cali. I am going to have to go and take a shower now.

[Bright Eyes]

14. "Black people simply voting for the Black candidate is NOT a victory"

Do you mind providing facts to back up this assertion?

[stray cat]

16. Ok but only if we don't count any woman who votes for Hillary

or any white male that votes for a white male.

[jackson_dem]

246. Women and white males haven't voted for "their" candidate at an 81% clip

I don't think Hillary even won a majority of women in New Hampshire let alone 81%. That is the difference.

[stravu9]

17. it shows how divided among race lines the party is

not good.

[EffieBlack]

33. LOL!

It's fine and dandy for 95% of black voters to vote for a white candidate. But when 80% of black voters vote for a black candidate, Democracy's all screwed up!

:rofl:

[stravu9]

39. you say potato, I say racism!

.

[EffieBlack]

57. So, you don't have a problem with a large majority of black people voting for one candidate

as long as that candidate's not black.

Yeah, I say racism, too.

[Window]

169. LOL!

Peace:thumbsup:

[Occam Bandage]

35. LMAO. 30-point blowout. SC is united--for Obama.

[stravu9]

42. and when was the last time a Democratic Presidential candidate took the State?

How long has it been since South Carolina went Blue?

[Occam Bandage]

52. November, 2008.

[stravu9]

63. good luck with that.

seriously, all the best!

[nonconformist]

79. Yeah, RIGHT.

Dream on.

[last_texas_dem]

118. 1976

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:ElectoralCollege1976-Large.png

[rhett o rick]

177. Would be interesting to know the voter turnout numbers Dems vs. repukes in SC. Anyone, anyone,

Buler?

[kid a]

20. you have NO idea what each individual votes for - you speak for your self and yourself only

[stillcool]

21. How about 50% of white youth?

how does that strike you?

[wndycty]

22. Well that is not what happened. . .

1) He won 49% of whites under the age of 30

2) Tied Hillary with white men

3) Won educated whites

[prolesunited]

38. What are you doing in here interjecting facts!?!?

:hi:

[JustinL]

155. self-delete

sorry, replied to the wrong post

[Window]

170. Thank you very much.

Peace:thumbsup:

[AX10]

23. Very true.

[Raine]

24. Women voting for the woman

candidate is not a victory either. x(

[pnwmom]

47. Except in the narrow sense that if a large majority of women voted for

the woman (since women comprise 54% of the electorate), we'd be assured of a win.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

45. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[CatWoman]

27. I love you, Journalist3072

:hi:

[iconocrastic]

29. That's been the Clinton strategy for South Carolina, polarizing the population

Divide and conquer - that's their MO and you apparently swallowed the hook.

Too bad.

[rodeodance]

129. Oboma played that role for SC.

[MS Liberal]

30. This was the worst thing for Black America

I too am an African-American female and I am upset at this result. It is clear this was a vote about race because if the issues had been considered there is no way in hell Hillary and especially John Edwards would not have gotten more votes.

This is disgusting and mark my words is a setback for race relations. We expect others to not judge us solely on our skin color but we have just demonstrated that the rule does not apply to us. Furthermore what makes this result even more fucked up is that we turned our backs on Hillary and John Edwards simply because they are not black. For the first time in my lifetime African Americans have shown we are just as dumb as southern whites because we failed to vote in our interest because race trumpted everything.

Out of the three candidates, Obama policies are least favorable to African Americans.

I just donated money to Hillary. Hang in there future President Clinton. The rest of Black America is not so easily duped.

[butterfly77]

46. Thank You,,,

I have and will be doing the same, it makes us look like we are not voting on the issues..

[rodeodance]

119. whow--sorry it was a bad night for you. And it was about race.

[calmblueocean]

124. Hi

I was just wondered which policies of Obama's you thought were least favorable to African Americans, and how Hillary's or Edwards solutions to the same problems were better. Thanks for your thoughts on the matter.

[rocktivity]

31. And whites/women simply voting for the white/female candidate

IS victory? Maybe most of them think Obama is the best candidate for the job!

:shrug:
rocknation

[ecstatic]

32. Maybe they felt he was the best candidate, and it's

a coincidence that he's also black? What about when 90% of the black vote went to the dem candidate in 2004? So when blacks vote for the white candidate, it's ok, it's just not ok if it's a black candidate???

[MS Liberal]

44. The only time 90% of black people believe the same thing is when it is about race.

[ecstatic]

71. 90% of black vote went to Gore. what are you talking about? nt

[EffieBlack]

75. And to Kerry

But that was different. They were white.

You know what this is about, don't you? To some people, it's fine for black folk to pool their political clout to advance the power of a white person. But it scares the HELL out of them to think that it's possible that black people can pool their political clout to give political power to a black person.

[tammywammy]

78. ...

[journalist3072]

59. Trust me....as an African-American, what happened in South Carolina has NOTHING to do with him being

the "best candidate."

It was all about race, and simply getting behind the Black candidate. And that makes me sad for my community. We have so many issues that need to be addressed in our community, and this is no time to be engaging in group think.

As I mentioned in my OP, there are Black folks who don't even want to hold Obama accountable, as Tavis Smiley suggested.

There was even one person who called into the Tom Joyner show, and said that we should vote for Obama first, and THEN find out what he wants to do for the Black community. I was just dumbfounded.

[KittyWampus]

67. then why did young white voters vote for him? why did he also win educated white voters

and tie Hillary with white men?

You didn't even see any facts regarding actual exit polls.

So sorry, I can't trust you as an AA, you're just repeating something that the Clintons started for their own benefit.

Oh, and hold Obama accountable FOR WHAT?

[CatWoman]

74. the ignorant masses have been all over Tom Joyner

Steve Harvey, Warren Ballentine and Michael Baisden the past two weeks.

They fed into and kept promoting the lie about Clinton calling Obama's run a "fairy tale".

And the dumb motherfuckers ate it up, hook, line and sinker.

And to HELL to those disc jockeys for keeping the dumb bullshit alive.

No wonder we haven't progressed as we should have -- not with this bullshit going down.

Those callers were all about voting for Obama just because he's black. PERIOD.

Fuck the issues.

Fuck the expertise.

Fuck the experience.

It was all about voting Black whatever the peril.

And this ENRAGES me. :grr:

[butterfly77]

92. Truth...

keep it up...and this is what is making me angry. I can understand having black pride but I will not just vote for him because of his color...

[EffieBlack]

95. You get this worked up over what some callers to a radio show said?

You DO know that radio show callers don't represent all black people, don't you?

[CatWoman]

96. I get worked up over radio host lying to their callers

and the callers listening to the lies.

Pay attention much?

It's quite evident that you are ignorant as to the power that black radio has over its listeners.

[EffieBlack]

110. You listen to black radio. Are you a powerless, clueless idiot?

Or do you have some kind of manipulation immunity that other listeners don't have?

[CatWoman]

128. Yes, I listen to black radio, and I'm not a clueless idiot

How in the fuck did I know the other clueless idiots were marching off the cliff if I "didn't" listen?

If it wasn't for Black Radio, the march on Jena wouldn't have happened.

If it wasn't for Black Radio, Jenarlo (sp?) Wilson would still be rotting in jail.

Black radio does a lot of good things.

But promoting this phoney "race" issue in the election was not one of them.

Got it?

Let me repeat:

Yes, I listen to black radio, and I'm not a clueless idiot.

How in the fuck did I know the other clueless idiots were marching off the cliff if I "didn't" listen?

If it wasn't for Black Radio, the march on Jena wouldn't have happened.

If it wasn't for Black Radio, Jenarlo (sp?) Wilson would still be rotting in jail.

Black radio does a lot of good things.

But promoting this phoney "race" issue in the election was not one of them.

Now chew on that for a while.

BTW: One does not have to "immune" to manipulation. Having common fucking sense helps.

A lot.

Wish I could drizzle some onto you.

[goldcanyonaz]

136. Yep, and I'm now a sellout if I don't vote for him.

I'm more than pissed too.

[Middle finga]

253. you are full of shit!! You are free to continue to worship the Clintons as long

as you like. Don't get mad cause other blacks have decided to move on from the Clintons. Besides black people don't just vote for candidates just because their black. Black people didn't flock to Steele, Swann or even Harold Ford and they are black. Maybe blacks are drawn to Baracks message is that to fucking hard to accept.

[Window]

171. That is just so not true.

You need to give it a rest, really.

Also, for the white people who voted for Obama, what is there excuse?



Peace:thumbsup:

[IsItJustMe]

219. Are you saying that all of those African American in SC voted for BO simply because he was black.

How could you possibly know this? Additionally, you are saying that all of those black voters seem to be mindless. I don't buy it for a second, and I am not a BO supporter.

[enough already]

227. Your point seems to be that black people are incapable of thinking for themselves

If that's what this party has come to, and unfortunately I think it is, we're truly fucked.

[psychmommy]

257. tavis said that about all of the candidates.

we need to make sure our issues are going to be acknowledged. healthcare was one of the biggest issues. the top 3 candidates are talking about that. we can't hold obama to a different standard because he is black. it so disturbs me that you speak down about the rest of us like we can't decide on our own. this is more of the bs that is turning black folks away from the clintons. i do not owe hillary, bill, obama or edwards anything. they have to earn it. how dare you presume that you speak for black america-you don't. nor does bob johnson. i love tavis but he and i don't always agree either. make sure your issues are being addressed and don't dump on black america to try to raise your candidates standings. she has to earn it, some folks like you think we owe them, we owe them nothing!

[EffieBlack]

60. Exactly

Transparent, aren't they?

[Marie26]

34. Except white people voted for him too

Obama's not my candidate, but I'm so glad that he won with a broad range of support in both white & black districts. Voters rejected the racial polarization attempted by both sides.

[BringEmOn]

113. It doesn't appear that most AA voters rejected the racial polarization attempted by BOTH sides.

If the majority of all voters rejected the racial polarization attempted by BOTH sides, Edwards would have cleaned up.

[Marie26]

126. NN Exit polls: Obama won across demographic lines

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) -- Illinois Sen. Barack Obama claimed a major victory in Saturday's Democratic primary in South Carolina, winning overwhelming support from the state's African-American voters and a significant share among whites, according to exit polls.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4223102&mesg_id=4223102

I wish Edwards had won too, but lacking that, I'm glad that the result wasn't as racially polarized as many were predicting.

[jackson_dem]

144. Obama was third among whites, won 81% of the black vote. Yeah, race didn't matter

Edwards won the white vote but got 2% of the black vote. Yeah, race didn't matter.

[Marie26]

175. You, sir

are going on my ignore list. Which proves that it's not just about partisanship! I dislike Obama, but I'm tired of people doing these subtle (and not so subtle) attempts to undermine him based on race. NO thanks.

[jackson_dem]

143. You folks can't tell the difference between 24% and 81%?

[GoldieAZ49]

37. It is a Great victory for Obama

with 25% of the white vote

This win cannot be marginalized

[Nedsdag]

86. Thank you!

And to my nubian sisters who are Clinton supporters, you are entitled to your opinion.

Tee hee!

[Sultana]

139. sorry off-topic, Nubian?

since when are African Americans "Nubian"?

Nubians come from Southern Egypt and Northern Sudan and not West Africa.

[Nedsdag]

154. It's a term of endearment.

No harm, no foul.

[Skip Intro]

40. well you have the guts to say what I percieve as the truth as well

[JI7]

49. blame the white people for Obama , they voted for him in Iowa, NH, Nevada

[jackson_dem]

145. At an 81% clip?

[butterfly77]

50. I feel the same...

I am looking at the overall picture...

[Name removed]

51. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

70. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Nedsdag]

83. OK, journalist3072,

Your straight jacket is ready.

[goldcanyonaz]

91. That's better. Mammy is a very offensive term. The OP is only stating her opinion...

like everyone else here.

[Middle finga]

255. And make sure you put her in a rubber room because we don't

want her injuring herself

[EFerrari]

53. You need serious help. n/t

[jeffrey_X]

54. 1988: 7% of whites voted for Jesse Jackson / 2008: 23% of whites voted for Obama

nice try.

[xultar]

68. It is only because Obama fits what they are willing to accept as black man...

which is racist in and of itself.

[EffieBlack]

72. You just don't know what to do anymore, do you?

I realize that Obama's overwhelming victory screws up your paradigm, but you're making a fool of yourself now.

Sometimes it's better to be silent and thought to be a fool than to post stupid, desperate comments like yours and remove all doubt.

[xultar]

89. If you knew me instead of spouting off. First i'm a black woman and I know and live this shit.

I have no paradigm...I'm supporting the nominee.

And You my friend are either an idiot or naive if you think that doesn't play a role. If it didn't Jessie Jackson would have been president.

[jeffrey_X]

88. I agree with you here.

100%

[goodgd_yall]

133. You're right there

As a white woman, I know. I know how white people think and I'm not in denial.

[jackson_dem]

146. F it

[Sultana]

56. HAHAHA!

I am African and I find your assertion a load of bullshit.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

61. What part of Africa?

[Sultana]

140. Sudan nt

[opiate69]

58. ...

Assuming black people voted for Obama for no other reason than because he's black is what's truly disappointing.

[EffieBlack]

66. If 95% of black people vote for a white candidate, it's because that candidate

spoke to their issues and shared their concerns.

If 80% of black people vote for a black candidate, it's because he's black - and they're too stupid to vote their interests.

The racism on DU is quite appalling, isn't it?

[opiate69]

69. For real.. hell, appalling may not even be a strong enough word for it.

[jackson_dem]

147. Get a grip. Edwards and Hillary are about the same as Obama on black issues

How the fuck did Obama get 81% and Edwards 1 or 2% with Hill in between?

[Hekate]

200. Possibly Obama's sunny message of hope & unity, while being right on the issues? Just a guess.

All that and crossover appeal as well.

Hekate

[Hekate]

198. Disappointing and disconcerting, to be sure. The circular firing squad continues. nt

[enough already]

230. Bingo n/t

[HughMoran]

62. Lets just move on and not make this into a race issue

I appreciate what you are saying, but it's not helpful at this point. Let's move on.

[Evergreen Emerald]

85. right. Let Obama make it about race, enough to win SC, but we are now to move on

forget it.

[HughMoran]

90. Ya know, this trick ain't gonna work during Super Tuesday

So I do think we all need to move on - things will change a LOT after today - this was a somewhat unique situation tonight.

[goldcanyonaz]

64. Journalist! Thank you for telling it like it is.

:loveya:

[xultar]

65. As a Black woman, I agree 100%. SC was a perfect storm due to the MSM blow ups

, spin, and race baiting of both Clinton and Obama.

[Major Hogwash]

102. You weren't offended by any of the racist remarks made over the last 3 weeks by Hill's camp?

Seriously?

I find that hysterical.

[Kahuna]

76. How about white women voting for Hillary in NH? Was that a victory?

I can't keep up. :crazy:

[jackson_dem]

148. What percentage of the white female vote did she win?

I don't think she even won a majority let alone 81%.

[napi21]

77. I congratulate Barack for the win in SC, but we really need to wait for

the results of Feb. 5th. I used to live in SC, and I can guarantee you, the Dem candidate will never win that State! The win is important to Barack right now, but it's unclear to me who voted for him there and why. I'm very sorry to say that race and feminism still play so much of a part in our Country today, but they do. My biggest fear is that no matter who our candidate is in 08, they will lose the election because of it.

I'm ashamed of my State of Ga. that what I hear most here from both Dems & Pubs is "I will NEVER vote for a woman or a black!"

[Laelth]

81. If it gets them interested in politics ...

If they come to the polls in record numbers, and if they deliver to the Democratic party states like South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, then it is a victory, and it may well be one of the greatest Democratic victories in over 100 years.

I say this as an Edwards supporter.

Would it really matter if Obama were a moderate (and I don't believe he is) if we had over 60 Democrats in the Senate? If Obama's coattails are enormous just because Black Americans are voting for Obama, I can live with that (and I have no right to complain, either). The office of the president has been too white for too long.

:dem:

-Laelth

[nancyharris]

84. You are quite wrong about that

Black people having an opportunity to vote for a Black presidential candidate is a victory in itself - a large victory - an incredible, fantastic victory.

[EFerrari]

100. That's right, nancyharris. And one any progressive should be able

to celebrate as a victory.

[Middle finga]

258. Agreed

[Major Hogwash]

97. When will you apologize to the white supporters in SC who voted for Obama based on issues

And not on color?

[EFerrari]

98. And to the black voters for calling them mindless?

Unbelievable.

[sniffa]

99. Hey, what's a little race baiting amongst DUers?

[EFerrari]

103. This thread has 28 votes. n/t

[sniffa]

105. Hey, 28 DUers agree that winning the nomination at all costs is a good thing.

I hate level 2.

[CatWoman]

109. ha!!!

Pot, meet Kettle.

[sniffa]

112. riiiiiight

If it's one thing I'm about, it's race baiting.

Good thing Level 2 will be gone tomorrow. Toodles. :hi:

[JVS]

117. Black people have been called worse here this week

:-(

[zulchzulu]

101. Many people in South Carolina across all racial labels and demographics voted for Obama

Tavis Smiley wants to hold Obama accountable for what? As for being disappointed in "your community", are you a reverse-racist that thinks that all black people are supposed to think the "same" as some in groups like the Klan think that all whites should think the "same"?

What the South Carolina primary proved is that people from all walks of life and all skin colors voted solidly for Obama. They didn't need your assistance in reminding them they need to groupthink in some particular "way".

Hillary and Bill Clinton's tip from Carville to make South Carolina about "race" like Bill did in 1992 BACKFIRED BADLY. People are tired of the same old, stupid, deceptive political hack tricks and they gave Bill a solid F for trying to split us all.

Good luck.

[jackson_dem]

149. Obama: third among whites, wins by over 60% among blacks. Race didn't matter!

[likesmountains 52]

106. I think a lot of people are swept up in the "I'm going to vote for the first black /or female

president" excitement...and sadly, are not thinking much beyond that...

[Tom Joad]

107. and white people simply voting for another white reactionary is not a victory either.

i say that as a white leftist opposing the reactionary policies of the pro-corporate candidates.

[angie_love]

108. huuhhh??

Um you're fuckin delusional. I'm sure those black ppl voted for him other than being "black". As you remember a few months ago, Hillary was dominating in the black vote against Obama. He won them over b/c hes qualified. Not just b/c hes black. You are pretty shameful. I wonder what you think of Bill's comment today comparing him to Jesse Jackson? Do you take offense to that? Theres something awfully shady about you.

[Jamastiene]

111. I agree. It's a sad time in America when people

vote based on something that has nothing to do with accountability or abilities. Skin color alone is not a reason to vote for someone just like gender alone is not a reason to vote for someone.

I'm just flabbergasted at the fact that Obama seemed to be a hopeful candidate a few years ago, but has since moved more and more toward the Republican side of the aisle and people on the left are still eating it up like he is above reproach. The more I see of the behavior of people in my own party this election, the more disillusioned I feel.

It is a sad time in America when people see black and vote red.

[themaguffin]

114. White people voting for the white candidate is NOT a victory

Jesus Christ people. Get a fucking clue before writing assinine posts.

[mb7588a]

116. so... you know nothing about this process.

It's all about delegates at this point - victories are not anywhere near as meaningful (Although on the republican side they seem to be more so.)

A delegate is a delegate is a delegate. Get the most and THAT is a victory.

[BenDavid]

120. jornalist I respect your candor...very seldom is it apparent on the

du pages but you are spot on my friend....

I had soon after the michelle obama gave that interview to msnbc and said exactly the same on these pages of DU. Oh I was called all kind of names from the usual bigot and racist. I always said that if obama loses because of low turnout by blacks, michelle already had who to blame. Yes, the black people. Even paraphrased what she was saying to the black community as a whole: "If You’re Black, Vote for Barack. Because He’s Black." Even went so far as saying, Voting for a person because of the color of his skin is racist and it is stupid too.....

Being Jewish and having lived my life thus far in the south I have seen and heard enough bigots, racists and seen playing the race card against someone.It is not a pretty sight......

Tavis is a good man. In my honest opinion Tavis, "walks tall".and again J. I respect you for your words.

[rodeodance]

125. nice post, very nice.

[Tulkas]

121. Clintons made this about race. Lets talk Iowa... shall we?

2% black
98% white


Obama 1st place
Clinton 3rd place



IS THAT VICTORY ENOUGH FOR YOU ?

[JaneQPublic]

122. It's as much a victory as when white men vote for white men

...blind loyalty or not.

[EffieBlack]

131. No, silly Jane

White men voting for white men is really just the people voting for people.

You just don't get it, do you?

sigh . . .

:sarcasm:

[jackson_dem]

150. White men aren't doing that. Edwards is tied nationally with the other two among white men

[JaneQPublic]

269. White men did that in SC

"Obama was strongest among men, especially black men, while Edwards was strongest among white men."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/26/politics/main3755303.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_3755303

[RoadRage]

134. Yeah.. but women voting for a woman in NH 2 weeks ago was..?? NT

[jackson_dem]

247. What percentage of the female vote did Hillary get in NH?

[Thrill]

135. Record Voter Turnout in South Carolina......People are excited about Obama.....Thats the Victory

The Victory is the fact that you can't name a candidate that has brought out so many new voters in these states. THAT MY FRIEND IS A VICTORY........No matter what the color of the voters are. They're excited and participating. Which is something no one else has been able to do

[Name removed]

137. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[angie_love]

138. So true

LOLOL!

[Beacool]

141. My African-American co-worker thinks that

whites accept Obama because they see him as being "safe", he's not in their face and that's why they find him acceptable. She doesn't find him substantive and told me that she's voting for Clinton because she doesn't think that anyone with such little experience is prepared to be president.

To win a majority of votes just because of race is disturbing, whether it be white or black. Race won the day, but it won't win the nomination. We'll see how things turn out on Super Tuesday.

[journalist3072]

176. And I would agree with that assertion. I think whites see him as a non-threatening, safe black

the anti- Al Sharpton, so to speak.

[Hekate]

202. You don't see this as an endorsement of his being "black enough"? As for Sharpton this is what I see

... in order to win a national election you have to have broad appeal to a cross-section of voters. If I understand your angst, this is in part what you are saying.

Sharpton's okay, although I remember Tawana Brawley and his part in that. But he's an old rabble-rouser (cf. Tawana). Others have staked their careers on being angry on behalf of the black community, and while they've done good things they also make a lot of whites, who are the majority of voters after all, uneasy even if those whites are in no way racist. It's impossible to win a national election like that.

Obama has crossover appeal. He is a new generation. I've listened to his speeches, read the first half of his book "Dreams", and I've asked myself what it is about him that attracts voters other than myself. (I grew up in Hawaii, too, and the resonance in his book was at times overwhelming.)

This is what I see, Journalist:

Maybe his non-slave ancestry absolves some people of the need to feel guilty about our American history, but he's more than just a "safe" black man. He's passionate, but not angry at US.

He retells the immigrant story, the story of people coming from other countries to make America what it is. "From Kenya and Kansas": his mother's family's roots go deep in the Heartland, and on his father's side he's the son of, if not an immigrant, then still a man from a faraway land. The immigrant story still resonates.

In his speeches he paints a picture of what America intended itself to be, and how in each generation some one or some group rises up to remind us of our first principles and calls on us to redefine them for a new generation. This resonates with a lot of people.

He says we have fallen short of the American ideal, and that there's a terrible mess to be cleaned up. Can we do it? Yes we can.

"Yes we can," the crowd chanted in Iowa. I live in California, where the United Farmworkers coined the phrase "Si se puede," and it's been taken up by all the Latino workers in our cities. I know that slogan. Talk about a crossover appeal to one of the country's biggest voting blocks now and to come.

Can Obama translate oratorical eloquence into a national victory? Given honest voting equipment, I think he could. Can Obama translate oratorical eloquence into sound national policies? I think he can. Winning South Carolina is not a bad thing, it's a step along the road.

Hekate

[ErnestoG]

142. How about voting Obama for his IDEAS?

There's a thought.

[alcibiades_mystery]

152. The logic of the Hillarities

If you vote for Hillary, you're voting for ideas and substance. You are a rational actor following the most rational course of action. You are grounded in firm realities that emanate from the most logical thought and empirical investigation.

If you vote for Obama, you're in a trance and cult. You are part of an irrational mob swayed to and fro by some magical surface features of a spellbinder's fancy rhetoric. You engage in groupthink that is totally divorced from reality.

These are axiomatic positions from which all arguments flow; they do not have any arguments that escape these laughable underlying assumptions.

It's no surprise that people consider them total douchebags.

[ErnestoG]

217. Amen to that. What a pity.

I cannot shake the horrible feeling that we are heading to 2004, Part Two.

[alcibiades_mystery]

151. Who said anything about "blind loyalty?" Only you

Who said that the people who voted for Obama didn't study his positions and make rational choices on that basis?

Only you.

It's easy enough to build some strawman to knock down. But let's not pretend you're being honest.

[JustinL]

156. what's happened in the past 4 years?

There's apparently been an alarming loss of judgment among black South Carolinians since 2004, when they voted for both Edwards and Kerry over Al Sharpton. :sarcasm:

link

[angie_love]

157. Um

Glad to know that as "black" female you can account for every person of the black population to make such a leaping statement. Did every black person in SC tell you they voted for Obama out of "blind loyalty"? I'd like to know where you got your info. Also, does it make it more of a victory when white ppl vote for a white candidate? I really question your judgement and the fact that you say you are "black" in every post and bash Obama, makes me question whether you really are.

[Cleita]

158. I agree with you but I can't blame people who have

been historically disenfranchised for voting for someone that they percieve as finally one of their own. I hope he doesn't disapppoint them if he becomes the candidate.

[BootinUp]

168. agreed. nt

[donheld]

159. Well Duh!

you suppose that's why blacks didn't run right out and support Alan Keyes?

[lebkuchen]

160. Accountability....does that exist in US govt. anymore?

Bush hasn't been accountable for a single crime he has committed.

If Obama wins, the US media will be holding Obama accountable for his every move, to include those manifested in the imaginations of media owners.

[Vektor]

161. I think the vast majority of the African American vote goes to the Democrat, period.

So just by virtue of being a Democrat, he's likely to get a lot of black people voting for him anyway. There is no way of knowing what motivated each individual voter in South Carolina, during this particular Democratic primary but it seems shortsighted to assume that just because many black people voted for Obama, that they were "color-struck" and only did it because he too is black. It implies that the voters were not cognizant enough to make an informed decision on the issues, which seems unfair. Perhaps the people who voted for Obama in SC really DID feel he represented them well on the issues. :shrug:

[angie_love]

162. ...

I guess shes assuming black ppl can't think for themselves and only see color, she doesn't have much faith in black ppl I'd assume.

[Radical Activist]

163. No, the black community moved away from blind loyalty today.

The early polls showed Clinton far ahead among black voters. That changed over time when black people looked at both candidates and made a thoughtful decision. Those early polls were indicative of blind loyalty to Bill Clinton. The final result was not.

[Hekate]

203. That's how I read it. nt

[Middle finga]

261. so true

[NastyRiffraff]

165. Good God, are you serious?

I don't support Obama...he's okay, but he doesn't do anything for me. But saying that SC was not a victory for Obama is, frankly...er...stupid. It's insulting to Black people ( yes, I know you say you're a Black female, and I have no reason to doubt that.)

The fact is, this was a resounding victory, involving Blacks and Whites. Although my candidate didn't win, I think this was historic. It's time we forgot about race...we're Democrats, for God's sakes! If we start this shit now, imagine what the Republicans will say. They don't need our help in pushing a racial divide, believe me.

I don't doubt there were some who voted on racial lines, but you can't explain the huge margin by that alone. I don't believe in voting according to sex, race, or sexual orientation. I support the white male in this race (for the record, if anyone cares, I'm a white female). I don't support him because he's white, and I can't believe I'm saying that. I WILL support the Democratic nominee, without hesitation, no matter who that is.

[cooolandrew]

166. Barack if nothing else is saying no, don't divide 55 percent voted for him alll americans...

...of varying diversity.


Barack " this is not black america or white america this is the united states or America... the pundits try to slice and dice us into red states and blue state..we are one people all of us swearing alligence to the stars and stripes."

[Dogmudgeon]

172. Black folks have cause for pride

A Black man is a serious candidate for president -- a cause for pride in the Black community. He is not just the Black candidate, he is America's candidate, even of those of us who will be voting for Hillary or John. But that does not mean that any other outcome is a sign of racism or bigotry. This election isn't about who gets to be Grand Wizard of the USA. The number of Democrats who are looking at this as a choice between Black and White races is quite small -- though it won't be, if the MSM has its way. Now is NOT the time to slacken off on our commitment to equality.

The same thing can be said for women in the candidacy of Hillary Clinton. Southerners likewise can look to John Edwards as the prime example that the days of marginalization of poor Appalachian white folks will soon be an anachronism.

The pride is ALL of ours, in a way. The tide has turned. As a white man, I have never had to suffer the hatred (and resulting paranoia) that Black people have had to endure for centuries. Bit it is a relief that the far lighter burden I carry, of being claimed by bigots and fools as one of their own, is likewise nearly at an end. Racism is an injury to the soul of all of Humanity. We all benefit from the removal of this stain.

And that's win-or-lose. Obama has already won for history. There was Shirley Chisholm, too -- though she was marginalized. Now, Barack Obama is one of the champions of the mainstream. He may be our next president. The name "the White House" will never again refer to racial policy but to the pigment of ... paint.

The Black community has even more cause for celebration: All of the Democratic candidates are long-time supporters of civil rights. They don't just have the right rhetoric, they have cred. So I fail to see how ANY outcome can be anything other than a win.

--p!

[erpowers]

178. Agree

I think it was a poor choice for the Obama's to make this vote about race. It should be about who was the best candidate not about race. The Obama's should have made this about the policy that was being put out.

[Barack_America]

183. This may be the worst post I have ever read on DU.

It just makes me very sad on many levels.

journalist3072, does your blind loyalty to your own candidate really prevent you from appreciating the magnitude of what happened yesterday?

[Tom Rinaldo]

184. I consider it a very real victory for Obama.

We can discuss how sweeping the implications of that victory are and why, but it was real. Obama won convincingly in South Carolina. That counts as much as any victory.

I think Black voters, like pretty much all voters, thought through their choices long and hard. I don't think there was a massive vote swing away from Clinton because African Americans felt "dissed" by her or her husband. Sure it was in the mix. Emotions are always in the mix. How often do voters post here that they can't vote for so and so because they are so pissed off at so and so's supporters at DU? But that is not how most of us reach of decision who to support, that isn't the biggest factor.

Black voters in SC did not just vote for a Black candidate. They voted for the best candidate who they felt could win and make a real difference in their lives. They were realists and held back support somewhat from Obama untill they were sure he could be a unity candidate that all of America could accept. After winning Iowa and coming in a close second in NH, both overwhelmingly white states, they came to believe that Obama could be that unifying leader who would also understand and care about the issues most important to them. It was only then that his African American support became relatively one sided. That is a pretty sophisticated decision making process in my opinion. I support SC's African American voters for paying attention and thinking it through with real results in mind.

I am not claiming that anger over perceptions of the Clinton campaign did not play a role. I think the primary role that anger played was to allow SC African Americans to shift their support from Hillary Clinton to Obama without feeling disloyal and unappreciative toward the Clintons for the support they feel both Clintons have given African Americans in the past. It was a psychological enabler, smoothing the transition. Like I said, I strongly suspect that the large majority of Obama's African American voters still hold net positive feelings toward Hillary and Bill Clinton. They simply gave them both a spanking.

[Barack_America]

185. Excellent post and analysis. Thank you, I enjoyed reading that...n/t

[Seabiscuit]

186. The OP is absolutely right. It makes no more sense to vote for someone simply due to

skin pigmentation than it does to vote against someone simply due to skin pigmentation.

[dansolo]

188. Increasing Black voter turnout IS a victory

We, as a country, elect our leaders and representatives with something like 40% voter turnout. Unfortunately, one group that doesn't turn out to vote is the black community. Increasing the voter turnout of likely Democratic voters is huge, and should not be dismissed so lightly. With an evenly divided electorate, increasing voter turnout will not only benefit the presidential candidate, but also all of the down-ticket elections.

[kid a]

189. claifying your race does not absolve you from stupidity

[inthebrain]

190. African Americans are forming a voting bloc

Not to mention establishing themselves as a very POWERFUL voting bloc. A group of people that have gotten nothing but shit thrown in their face exercises power at ballot box and this has you upset?

[creeksneakers2]

191. Even though it was a great victory for Obama

the media is succeeding in turning the election into a racial contest. None of the candidates made race an issue. Obama even steered away from race as a factor. The media provokes racial tensions and then people fall for it. Victory won't be complete until all that stops.

[Vinca]

192. Maybe black people - and white people - think Obama is the better candidate.

It's a shame you're demeaning the judgement of the people in South Carolina.

[AtomicKitten]

193. Both you and Bill Clinton trying to "blame" Obama's victory in SC on race is despicable.

[realFedUp]

194. That a black and a female are running viably and strongly is something

to be inspired by...but that should be where loyalty
ends and you look at the individuals, their strengths,
weaknesses, actions and voting records and what
they say they will do when in office and who they
will surround themselves with as advisors.

I agree with your original post.

[Hekate]

195. I don't think it was the Obamas who made this about race as much as the Clintons did, & for that...

...I am very disappointed in the Clintons. I have defended Hillary many times on this board against the misogynists and bashers -- and I speak as an Edwards-Obama voter waiting my chance in California -- but after this last go-round I am pretty much over the Clintons. I think they got really dirty.

I didn't know about the Tavis Smiley brouhaha -- but yes, Obama (like all candidates) needs to be held accountable.

At the moment, I'm extremely pleased that he won in South Carolina. It would take a better political analyst than I to parse all the reasons, but perhaps one issue has been laid to rest: the community seems to have finally judged him "black enough." It may also have been a repudiation of the Clintons, who have deep ties to the black community but seem to have stepped over a line they should not have when they introduced race into their campaign.

And look at me -- white, female, feminist -- I've stopped referring to "Hillary" and now just call them "the Clintons."

Hekate

[cd3dem]

196. working as a teacher, an 11-year-old female black student told me she hates Ms. C.

this is not making us one America

[LordJFT]

199. whites voting for whites, women voting for women? men voting for men? young ppl for young ppl?

As a young white male do I have to vote for an old black women for it to be a victory? If so I think I'm out of luck

[smoogatz]

201. You just insulted a hell of a lot of black Democrats in SC.

Maybe they thought Obama was the best candidate, given the other choices. Or that he was most likely of the three to best represent their interests. Could that be possible, maybe? Or do you really think that the black Democrats of South Carolina are just witless sheep who vote only on the basis of skin color?

Also, taken literally your post is factually in error. Obama won. It's a victory for him, and for black voters, who've been taken for granted by whites in the party for much too long.

[EffieBlack]

205. Yes, but it doesn't count unless a majority of white people agreed to it . . .

[brentspeak]

207. "taken for granted by whites in the party for much too long"

Care to explain?

????

[smoogatz]

233. The party leadership has assumed since the early 60s

that black Americans will vote Democratic because, since the passage of the civil rights act, we've done a better job of pretending to care about their interests. Trouble is, 40 years later we haven't really delivered--black people are still sucking hind tit in this country. You can't blame them for being skeptical when white politicians talk about feeling their pain.

[mzmolly]

206. I don't know how anyone can assert that Black voters in SC did not vote on the issues.

Once again, I find this meme offensive.

[brentspeak]

208. This New York Times article suggests that many S.C. voted Obama b/c he's black:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/26/us/politics/26carolina.html?hp

On Thursday, on a dirt road near the small town of Bowman, Townsend Pelzer sat in his truck with his two lap dogs while his beagle chased rabbits in the woods. Mr. Pelzer, 83 and black, a retired maintenance worker for the state highway patrol, said he was going to vote for Mr. Obama.

Asked why, Mr. Pelzer shrugged, smiled and pointed to his face, saying, “Color of my skin, I guess.”

Scott Mattingly, 22, a white economics teacher at a virtually all-white private school in Bowman, said that many of his fellow volunteers at the Obama campaign office were “ignorant of the issues and are far more excited about the concept of a black leader.”

But Mr. Mattingly added that, in a county where the large businesses are run by white men and “ancient parochial attitudes” persist, voter enthusiasm for Mr. Obama had a logic that went beyond simple loyalty. Offering a sort of trickle-down theory of eradicating racism, he said an Obama victory “would set a precedent that an African-American can lead.”

[mzmolly]

209. I find this tone offensive.

Has anyone measured Edwards "white male" supporters knowledge on various issues? How about Clinton's female supporters?

MOST voters PERIOD are ignorant on the issues. People are driven to vote for emotional reasons in every election, regardless of race. So, pardon me for not deferring to the young, white private school student who, most likely has no first hand "experience" with many of issues being raised.

Interesting how many people are quoted ON THE ISSUES in the article you link:

“I work at a paper mill, but I know a lot of people that have lost their jobs,” said Larry Rivers, 46. “I’ve heard Obama talk about the companies that have taken jobs overseas, saying he was going to stop giving them the tax breaks and start giving tax breaks to the companies that have stayed here.”

Gilda Cobb-Hunter, a state legislator who represents part of Orange burg County, said some of the unemployment among blacks stemmed from poor education by the state’s money-starved rural schools. The school system was recently portrayed in a documentary about education along Interstate 95 called “Corridor of Shame,” a phrase Mr. Obama used in the debate in Myrtle Beach on Monday.

“The issue is education and the effect of a lack of a quality education on the level playing field,” Ms. Cobb-Hunter said.

Kind of blows the "un-educated" voter meme.

Democrats share basic, fundamental values. I refuse to castigate a person of color or a woman or ?? for giving the edge to those who have a particular struggle/perspective in common by suggesting that such commonality is the ONLY motivation for a particular vote.

[cbayer]

228. Just look at some of the postings on DU

Clearly many people here are being driven by their emotions and not the issues. And if we don't start pulling together and stop trying to destroy each other, we are going to lose this thing.
I know I am not supposed to speak up because i am a newbie and don't have many posts and haven't openly declared which side of this political war i am on, but enough of the infighting already. It is just not helpful.

[mzmolly]

271. Bravo to that!

"Clearly many people here are being driven by their emotions and not the issues."

[jackson_dem]

250. Neither have a majority among "their" group

[rodeodance]

210. Thanks for the Link. I was listening to Black radio last wk: many callers said cause he was black-

they were clear on that. They were proud a black man was in that position. Nothing wrong with that.

[IsItJustMe]

223. Well, if the msm tells us that this is true, it most certainly must be!!!

:sarcasm:

[kikiek]

211. I think I understand what you are saying. I agree 100 pct. Whoever it is that gets the

nomination needs to be held to their campaign promises. Personally I would like to hear more about what those are. Right now it seems that the answers are vague. Maybe intentionally so. The sad part is that you can't bring anything up without the defenders wanting to throw you over a cliff. It is taken as a personal attack, and their job is to protect that candidate. It is freaky weird. That is what makes me wonder if it isn't more about who they are than what they will do. And I am sure the candidates are not ignorant of this fact. I am afraid they are enjoying and exploiting it. Their thought seems to be do whatever it takes to get to the next level, and just step over the bodies on the way there. I don't think it is going to be as easy to reunite us as it is to divide us though. Tough times ahead I'm afraid.

[hasssan1]

212. YOU ARE 10000% WRONG

10000% WRONG. I see many Hillary supporters who talks like this to discredit obama. Obama is Revolution. get used to it and get behind it instead of lashing him like republicans.

[ellacott]

214. People were upset with Tavis because he didn't apply the same standard to HRC

and they were right to take him to task for that. If you listened to Tavis' commentary regarding this racial dust up you would have heard that he felt the Clintons started it and made it about race.

Many people have said that there isn't much of a difference in their positions.

Some say that people engage in blind loyalty because they only vote for Democrats.

I hope this doesn't devolve into a DuBois vs. Booker T. amongst African Americans.

[Gloria]

220. Once again, I refer to my almost verbatim report on comments by Shelby Steele who

has written a book about Obama....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2774551&mesg_id=2774551

[ProSense]

225. White people simply not voting for a White candidate is NOT a victory!

Hillary lost 65% of the white vote (58% of women, 72% of men), 78 % of the black vote (80% of women)

[ecstatic]

226. Who are the 51 people who quietly agree with you?

Speak up and expound upon your beliefs. :eyes:

[IsItJustMe]

231. My exact thoughts. WTF?

[IsItJustMe]

229. I have to say that seeing this post kicked up is disappointing to say the least. It tells me that

our msm has been successful in making this election about race; has conned a lot of you into buying it, and does not bode well for our chances in the General Election.

[sniffa]

232. But at the same time, I'm glad to give this more exposure.

Let the race baiters be exposed for who they are.

[IsItJustMe]

236. Never thought of that angle. I just had one of those, "Awha" moments

[quickesst]

238. Means little...

but thank you, for one of the most honest posts I've read since the primaries started. I have to wonder if a great many of the replies you've recieved, are accusing others of racism for basically agreeing with your op. Irony. Thanks.
quickesst

[7horses]

240. You know what?

Obama is half white. I wonder why the media didn't break it down to tell us how the multiracial people voted. Then we all could say that they only voted for Obama because he is half white also. :sarcasm:

Oh and I am an Edwards supporter who wants every Democratic candidate to be treated fairly

[MissPuddy]

248. Yes, Obama pushes his "black" side but not his "white" side....

If he wins the nomination, photos of Obama with his white mother, grandparents, etc. will be displayed to ruffle the feathers of conservative Democrats. Obama probably identifies with his "white" side more because of his privileged upbringing. Believe me, I am not prejudice but I think he's milking out his "blackness" as a propaganda tool.

[ellacott]

260. He uses pictures of his mother in campaign ad

I can't believe some of the stuff I'm reading on this board.

How can you know what side he identifies with. He has a black wife and choose to work in inner city Chicago. He's getting criticized because he goes to a black church.

My goodness

[smoogatz]

262. How dare he act black!

Whatever the fuck that means. Jeebus.

[MissPuddy]

241. Obama puts on a dialect when speaking in the South....

Have you all noticed how Obama spoke perfect, Mid-western English while in New Hampshire but obtained a Southern preacher tone while in South Carolina? He did the same in the past while speaking in Mississippi. This is acting!!!

[Carrieyazel]

252. I don't understand why he and Hillary both do this. It doesn't look genuine at all.

And it's something to be concerned about come the spring.

[MissPuddy]

256. You are so right! Hillary puts on a Southern drawl too...

WAY PHONY!! Candidates need to be themselves and let us see them for who they are...not what they think we want to see. Why can't the mainstream see through the facade?

At least John Edwards speaks Southern all of the time....He's a real person! There is no phony air at all with him.

[hasssan1]

244. I think you work for Romney or clinton campaign !!!!

[mckeown1128]

249. How dare you accuse AA voters of not thinking for themselves.

It doesn't matter if you are a black female don't dare think that just because you are black that you can spew hatred toward other AA. Those in SC voted for Obama because they believe he is best suited to be president. Way to judge a whole community just because they didn't vote the way you think they should have voted.

[Carrieyazel]

251. Tavis Smiley has got it exactly right. Does the Obama camp get it?

Winning the South Carolina primary is an accomplishment, but I don't get why some in the Obama camp think this is just like winning the general election. It isn't.

T. Smiley's show is one of the best half hours on TV. The wide variety of guests; the myriad of topics, and he may be the best interviewer on TV. His skills are impressive. In fact, if he ever considered running for elective office, he'd be a far better candidate than Obama.

[ellacott]

254. Tavis did dabble in politics when he was in California

I doubt many liken it to a general election win.

He was an aid to Mayor Bradley and ran unsuccessfully for a council seat.

The OP mischaracterized the reaction to Tavis' radio comments. They were upset because he didn't hold HRC to the same standard.

Also when the race controversy started he did a commentary agreeing that it was the Clintons who injected race into the campaign.

[still_one]

266. On what basis are you saying that African Americans only vote for African Americans? /nt