Dems Play the Race Card

[BPSCG]

It's official: The reason Obama isn't running away with the election is because he's black.

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius publicly considered the possibility that Sen. Barack Obama’s race might be a factor in this year’s presidential election during an appearance here Tuesday.

“Have any of you noticed that Barack Obama is part African-American?” Sebelius asked in response to a question about why the election is so close. “That may be a factor. All the code language, all that doesn’t show up in the polls. And that may be a factor for some people.”

Link.

Speaking of "code language," governor, why don't you just come out and say what you mean? "People who vote for McCain are secret racists."

CNN is here to hold Sebelius's coat for her:

Race is arguably the biggest issue in this election, and it's one that nobody's talking about.

The differences between Barack Obama and John McCain couldn't be more well-defined. Obama wants to change Washington. McCain is a part of Washington and a part of the Bush legacy. Yet the polls remain close. Doesn't make sense…unless it's race.

Link.

Yeah. There's no sensible reason to vote for McCain instead of Obama. The only possible explanation would be racism.

And of course, no black person would vote for Obama only because of his race. Blacks aren't racists, like white Republicans.

And of course, no non-black voters would vote for Obama because they believe (while singing Kumbayah) that electing a black man president will somehow magically heal all our racial divisions.

 

[boloboffin]

And this will be used by actual racists out there, closeted and otherwise, to continue their racial assaults on Obama.

 

[Oliver]

WTF? I heard so much about Obama, his race, his religion, his fathers religion,
his flag pins etc... How can anyone within the Racist Party with a straight face
assume that's it's "official" NOW?

 

[corplinx]

And this will be used by actual racists out there, closeted and otherwise, to continue their racial assaults on Obama.

Pointing out race baiting is the primary tactic of the racist. So by your own standard doesn't this make you racist?

 

[Pookster]

There is evidence to substantiate Sebelius' statement that race may be a factor in the election. And, it's not limited to one party. I posted this in a previous thread ...

The exit polls from the Democratic primaries did show that race played a role at least in some primaries. As an example, in Pennsylvania, 12% of Whites said race was important to them. Of those Whites, 76% voted for Hillary.

It may not be a huge number, but it could very well be why Obama isn't polling higher than many expected at this time in the race.

Most of BPSCG post though is just exaggeration and raving bluster on his part (or possibly carried over from the wingnut blog he may have found all this on). There are sensible reasons to vote for either candidate based on your beliefs and position on the issues. But racism is arguably a factor. Obama is polling about where Kerry did with Blacks in 2004. He's not doing as well with whites though. However, this isn't conclusive that those whites aren't voting for Obama because of race, but the exit polls I reference above clearly indicate it's playing some kind of role.

The exit poll data was taken from CNN.

 

[boloboffin]

Pointing out race baiting is the primary tactic of the racist. So by your own standard doesn't this make you racist?

It will be used as justification. Nowhere did I say it was a primary tactic. $25 has been contributed to PETSM in your name.

 

[Upchurch]

Beeps, are you equally upset that the Republicans have been officially playing the gender card for weeks now?

 

[BPSCG]

There is evidence to substantiate Sebelius' statement that race may be a factor in the election.

You know what? I won't disagree with the claim that race may be a factor. Yes, there are white people who won't vote for Obama because he is black, and there are black people who will vote for Obama only because he's black.

But Sebelius wasn't asked if she thought race would be a factor. She was asked to explain why the race was so close. And instead of giving a plausible answer, such as, the country is, and has been, sharply divided along ideological lines for many years and both parties are fighting over a relatively small center ground, she suggests it's due to racism. Think about it for a second. George Bush won slightly over 50% of about 120 million votes last time out. Sebelius's questioner wanted to know how come Obama isn't blowing McCain away. A blowout election would have the winner winning by ten percent or more, say 55-45. What's five percent of 120 million? Six million.

So what Sebelius is suggesting is that six million people who are voting for McCain because they can't stand the idea of a black man in the White House. Even more if you offset that by the number of people voting for Obama because he's black.

That's ridiculous.

And, it's not limited to one party. I posted this in a previous thread ...

Did that thread say what percentage of black Democrats thought race was important, and how they voted?

Most of BPSCG post though is just exaggeration and raving bluster on his part

Please show what I exaggerated.

(or possibly carried over from the wingnut blog he may have found all this on).

An Iowa newspaper and CNN?

There are sensible reasons to vote for either candidate based on your beliefs and position on the issues. But racism is arguably a factor.

Don't move the goalposts. The question isn't whether racism is a factor - of course it is. The question is, is it a major factor? If you think so, please prove it.

 

[varwoche]

It's official: The reason Obama isn't running away with the election is because he's black. Link.

Speaking of "code language," governor, why don't you just come out and say what you mean? "People who vote for McCain are secret racists."
...
Yeah. There's no sensible reason to vote for McCain instead of Obama. The only possible explanation would be racism.

The nonsense is so plentiful that it's hard to know where to start.

Here's a novel concept -- let's look at some some facts: According to this recent survey, 14% of the population will not vote for a black person, period, and another 13% aren't sure. That's 27% of the respondents admitting to racism.

In short, Sebelius stated the bleeding obvious.

And to extrapolate from her remarks that "People who vote for McCain are secret racists" is so inane that I can't believe you posted it.

 

[leftysergeant]

Beeps, are you equally upset that the Republicans have been officially playing the gender card for weeks now?

Wrong. That's the victim card. You are not permitted to pick on Sarah because she's a girl. You're not permitted to point out signs that McCain is losing his marbles because he was a POW.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

I get a kick out of this fact. To a lot of Dems, if you badmouth Obama you are a racist, but if you badmouth Sarah Palin you are just telling the truth. LIkewise it a common Republican position that badmouthing Obama is just telling the truth but badmouthing Sarah Palin means you are a sexist.

Neither side sees the hypocrisy in their positions. It would be funny if it weren't so sad.

 

[rjwould]

I love the fact that republicans are pretending that race isn't an issue in this election cycle. Denial of racism is the worst kind of racism.

At least many black people have been out front and admitted that it is difficult for them to ignore. Not most whites though, they continue to deny.

As soon as a democrat calls racism what it is, they are playing the race card. Get with it you republican cry babies, race is a part of this thing....

 

[Oliver]

Wrong. That's the victim card. You are not permitted to pick on Sarah because she's a girl. You're not permitted to point out signs that McCain is losing his marbles because he was a POW.

Oh, now I fully understand ... those pesky [r]acist party members!

 

[rjwould]

I get a kick out of this fact. To a lot of Dems, if you badmouth Obama you are a racist, but if you badmouth Sarah Palin you are just telling the truth. LIkewise it a common Republican position that badmouthing Obama is just telling the truth but badmouthing Sarah Palin means you are a sexist.

Neither side sees the hypocrisy in their positions. It would be funny if it weren't so sad.

Most racist don't badmouth in public, they're too chicken**** to do that, they do it in private among themselves and the rest of the Neanderthal ignoramus's they group with.....unless they've been out drinking, that is.

Are you a racist? Only and your hairdresser know for sure.

 

[rjwould]

Wrong. That's the victim card. You are not permitted to pick on Sarah because she's a girl. You're not permitted to point out signs that McCain is losing his marbles because he was a POW.

Do it anyway...I do!

 

[Nyarlathotep]

Most racist don't badmouth in public, they're too chicken**** to do that, they do it in private among themselves and the rest of the Neanderthal ignoramus's they group with.....unless they've been out drinking, that is.

Are you a racist? Only and your hairdresser know for sure.

Regardless the Dems ARE playing the 'racist' card at the drop of a hat (i.e the OP) and the Republicans ARE equally quick to pull out the 'sexist' card (i.e. the reaction to the "lipstick on a pig" comment). Then they are trying to point out how terrible the other guy is for doing essentially the exact same thing they are doing. They are like a bunch of children.

Whether anyone actually IS racist/sexist/whatever is secondary at best to them.

 

[Kthulhut Fhtagn]

Picking or not picking Obama because he is black ≥ Picking or not picking Palin because she is a woman.

 

[rjwould]

Regardless the Dems ARE playing the 'racist' card at the drop of a hat (i.e the OP) and the Republicans ARE equally quick to pull out the 'sexist' card (i.e. the reaction to the "lipstick on a pig" comment). Then they are trying to point out how terrible the other guy is for doing essentially the exact same thing they are doing. They are like a bunch of children.

Whether anyone actually IS racist/sexist/whatever is secondary at best to them.

There is no 'race card' as there is no other 'card'. Pundits simply use the term to add connotation to a term. Race is a fact, as is gender. American whites need to deal with it.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

There is no 'race card' as there is no other 'card'. Pundits simply use the term to add connotation to a term. Race is a fact, as is gender. American whites need to deal with it.

Race and sex are indeed facts, but so are phoney accusations of racism/sexism when someone has the temerity to disagree with you whether that disagreement had any motivation in race or sex or not. That, to me, is "playing the race/sex" card. And it is distressingly common in this campaign.

 

[Upchurch]

To a lot of Dems, if you badmouth Obama you are a racist, but if you badmouth Sarah Palin you are just telling the truth. LIkewise it a common Republican position that badmouthing Obama is just telling the truth but badmouthing Sarah Palin means you are a sexist.

At the risk of being called a hypocrite, what Democrats are you referring to?

I've seen where representatives of the McCain campaign have called criticism of Palin sexist. I'm not sure I've seen where the Obama campaign has called criticism racism.