Is it Racist?

[LohKee]

We'll just have to agree to disagree. But polls show Obama got nearly ALL the black vote in IN and NC.

Clinton got all the rural votes and as we all know most all rural towns equal to about 98% white population in those towns.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I for one don't care, because I'm going to vote for whoever I agree with and not because I'm supposed to vote for someone because he's black or because she's a female. And if someone wants to call me a racist, or anti-female (or whatever it's called), then so be it, but they have no idea who I am as a person.

 

[LukenDC]

Jeremiah Wright factors very little into my decision. I made up my mind about Obama based on his foreign policy, particualrly his willingness to engage the leaders of Iran and Venezuela, no strings attached. It strikes me as naive and simplistic, kind of like "axis of evil," but from the other end of the spectrum.

I never said that I was definitely going to vote for John McCain. I do not like the religious right and have put my money where my mouth is through years of support for anti-religious right organizations. I do, however, admire McCain for his service to our country and for his willingness to plot his own course.

On election day, I may be writing my OWN name in for president.

 

[smartestnumber5]

Well you have a right to vote for who you want to vote for, but I have to say that Jeremiah isn't the one damning Gay people to hell nor is he blaming New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina.

I would think the issue shouldn't be the religious views the candidates espouse or the preachers they listen to listen to. I think the important question is whether Obama or McCain going to actually take the views of the religious groups they associate with and turn those views into laws that discriminate against certain citizens.

McCain--Yes of course. He once called Jerry Falwell an agent of intolerance, but apparently now he's okay with intolerance. He supported the Arizona amendment which if it's anything like the marriage amendment in Michigan is likely will be used to deny all legal protections to same-sex couples like domestic partner benefits. (Since the amendment prohibits the state from recognizing a domestic partnership, how can they give out benefits on that basis? ) No doubt he will be moving further right throughout the campaign, and will probably nominate supreme court justices who oppose gay rights and will likely take an anti-gay rights stand on any legislation that passes his desk to please his constituents (no matter his own personal view.)

Obama--?? I haven't heard that he has any plans to put anything like what Wright says into practice. In fact, he seems to be distancing himself further and further from Wright, while McCain drew himself closer to Falwell as he got closer to running.

 

[bimshire]

I think that Obama has the "right" combination for black voters; he is ademocrat and he is black. The African American community did not turn out for Michael Steel, the black, conservative GOP candidate in Maryland.

Dawn, you answered your own question. I would not vote for Michael Steel regardless of how black he is. His politics are to the right and mine are to the left.

After 300 hundred years on this continent, for the first time a charismatic, qualified black candidate has a legitimate shot at the presidency. Si se puede

 

[java]

The man is running for President. Of course he's the most controversial member of the democratic party.

So, the only time it wouldn't be pot-stirring is if we discuss democratic Senator Joe Blow from Wisconsin and the cheese lobby? The people in the democratic party who everyone cares about right now are senators Obama and Clinton. They are running for the Presidential nomination. They have brought the controversy on themselves, if you want to call it controversy.

By controversy I was referring to quoting Jerimiah Wright.

 

[laurie31]

I would vote for any conservative candidate and never even notice the color.

Yes, as would I.

If Condi Rice were running, I'd vote for her in a heartbeat. I really get offended when people assume I wouldn't vote for Obama simply because of his race, or for Hillary because she's a woman.

I won't vote for either one because they are Democrats. Period.

 

[Carl]

I would vote for any conservative candidate and never even notice the color.

I would too. Too bad there aren't any this year.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I would vote for any conservative candidate and never even notice the color.

Yes, as would I.

If Condi Rice were running, I'd vote for her in a heartbeat. I really get offended when people assume I wouldn't vote for Obama simply because of his race, or for Hillary because she's a woman.

I won't vote for either one because they are Democrats. Period.

I wonder how Condi would be viewed by certain groups if she ran for president. I would love to see that race.

 

[jacksonsmom]

Yes I know it's sad, and if you read some of the replies on most Hillary threads across the internet you'd see that line of thinking. Some will try to spin it to keep their true feelings from being known...example...When one say's "I just can't bring myself to vote for Obama, some are actually saying "I can't bring myself to vote for a black man"
If Obama is nominated, the same people who say "I just can't bring myself to vote for him" would vote against their party, and a better life for their children solely based on the ignorance that was bred into them as children which cycled thru their adulthood. These same people will breed that same ignorance into their children because they have to continue that cycle.

That said, Not knocking anyone for their choices, I just think people should be honest, because some are as transparent as cellophane.

While I will not agrue that the bolded is true for SOME people, please don't assume it is for everyone that won't vote for Obama.
I have voted before for black candidates in local elections, I have no problem voting for a candidate of other colors then myself IF I FEEL they are qualified for the position they are running for.

Sorry I do not feel Obama is qualified to be President, JMO

 

[momto2girls]

While I will not agrue that the bolded is true for SOME people, please don't assume it is for everyone that won't vote for Obama.
I have voted before for black candidates in local elections, I have no problem voting for a candidate of other colors then myself IF I FEEL they are qualified for the position they are running for.

Sorry I do not feel Obama is qualified to be President, JMO

Exactly. I just love how people assume that I'm not in support of Obama because he is a black man. It couldn't be because I don't like him and don't support his policies and think that he would be horrible for our country, right?

 

[connorlevismom]

Exactly. I just love how people assume that I'm not in support of ABM because he is a black man. It couldn't be because I don't like him and don't support his policies and think that he would be horrible for our country, right? :confused

I agree and I would be absolutely offended if someone told me that was why I did not vote for him. Seriously, I could give two rips about what color the guy is. Nor could I care less if Hillary is a woman. IT DOES NOT MATTER to me and does not matter to anyone that I know. They vote based on their policies. I have a very large family and we are all split over who we are probably going to vote for and nobody is voting for anyone based on race or sex.

So does that mean if McCain does not win the election he can cry ageism?? Because I actually HAVE heard people say they would not vote for him because of that.

Kristine

 

[Planogirl]

While I will not agrue that the bolded is true for SOME people, please don't assume it is for everyone that won't vote for Obama.
I have voted before for black candidates in local elections, I have no problem voting for a candidate of other colors then myself IF I FEEL they are qualified for the position they are running for.

Sorry I do not feel Obama is qualified to be President, JMO

I agree (except for the part about Obama's qualifications)! I think it's a little naive to assume that people don't support Obama because of racism. Of course there are those bigots out there but I like to believe that they are small in number.

 

[wvrevy]

I agree (except for the part about Obama's qualifications)! I think it's a little naive to assume that people don't support Obama because of racism. Of course there are those bigots out there but I like to believe that they are small in number.

From conservatives, it makes sense, because they would absolutely disagree with his policy positions. There are certainly some that wouldn't vote for a black man that also disagree with his policies, but, again, I can understand anyone that falls on that side of the aisle voting against him, as he is a progressive Democrat.

 

[agentpleakley]

Doesn't sound all that well informed to me then........

I agree. Any one that thinks a former POW with 2 sons in the military is actively seeking war just for the heck of it is just creating a reason not to like McCain.

:: They rightly find it absolutely disgusting that in 221 years of our nation's history, no woman has ever come close occupying the government's highest office. What about Pelosi
I suspect that the situation of many African-American voters choosing Obama is very similar to the situation of my own female relatives choosing Hilary. I agree with you on this

Yes I know it's sad, and if you read some of the replies on most Hillary threads across the internet you'd see that line of thinking. Some will try to spin it to keep their true feelings from being known...example...When one say's "I just can't bring myself to vote for Obama, some are actually saying "I can't bring myself to vote for a black man"
.

You paint with too broad a brush and I'm glad to see your psychic powers are in working order. I'm sorry - I am absolutely tired of people telling others that the reason why they are not voting for Obama is because he is black. WHATEVER. This is ridiculous. I can give you at minimum a handful of policy reasons why I could never vote for Obama, without even starting to examine his lack of experience, lack of judgment, etc. I don't need to look at his race - and I don't need any one else telling me that I am not voting for him because of it.

There will be some people who will not vote for Obama because of his race. It is sad, but true. Those people, however, will be a small minority of voters. If Obama does not get elected, it will be because he is a liberal running in a center-right nation.

Yes, as would I.

If Condi Rice were running, I'd vote for her in a heartbeat. I really get offended when people assume I wouldn't vote for Obama simply because of his race, or for Hillary because she's a woman.

I won't vote for either one because they are Democrats. Period.

 

[lovetomow]

As I went in to vote yesterday two black women were stumping for Obama. They handed me a pamplet and told me to vote for Obama because he was gonna lower gas prices. I asked them how. I got the blank stare. I asked him how they felt about some other of his policies (aka health care, war in Iraq, etc...) I got the same blank stare. I then asked if they didn't know anything about Obama's policies why were they stumping for him. Their answer! Because he is black!

Not saying this is how all blacks who voted for Obama based their vote, but I know two who did!

 

[SeeVee]

To your question though - the voting in NC was not so much racist as racial or groupism. There are plenty of whites that would never vote for a black man. Obviously, that is not historically the case with black voters. Black voters have supported countless white candidates. ] argument.

That is a weak argument. Are you talking about for president? It is not like there was ever a viable candidate for Prez, save for Obama?

 

[Cool-Beans]

Is it okay not to vote for Obama because he allows himself to be spiritually guided by a man who is an idiot and a nutcase?

Either Obama is also an idiot nutcase or can't spot one when he sees one. Neither of those are qualities I want in a President.

 

[KatheeME]

Why do you need to ask? Ask a provocative question about McCain, you just love to stir the pot don't you? And yes, before you tell me, you can post what you like, it's just so obvious that you only do this to Dems, not your "lovely" Reps ...

 

[KatheeME]

Isn't it interesting that one can't begin a conversation, that will be, if it isn't already, a big area of discussion in this election season, without it getting personal? I don't think I assume that anyone on this board votes democratic or republican based on their color. When I point out that black voters vote democratic, there is a historical basis for that....in most elections. If they just voted based on color of the candidate, Michael Steel would have done better.
With regard to the "doctor" comment, you may find that certain "specialties" actually vote democratic; pediatricians for example.

But Dawn, isn't this just the reaction you were hoping for?