While I think that "like calling out to like" is a large part of the challenge that Obama has with older white Americans, I think that racism is also a part of the challenge. There are many people in the white demographic who simply see all black people as inferior. Obama could have all the qualifications in the world, but many people would not vote for him simply because of his racial heritage.
ryan
· 1 year ago
I don't mean to deny that racism is definitely in play here. Of course it is.
But I think that people who pride themselves on being progressive, liberal, what-have-you, will rarely allow themselves to think in overtly racist ways. They'll simply follow their gut towards the candidate that they feel resonates with them and it just so happens that the closer to their station in life, the more likely the resonance will be strong. They'll tell themselves, "I'm not a racist, I just don't think Obama is ready (read: he's too young)" or among Barack's supporters, "I'm not sexist, I just think that Barack has a better head on his shoulders"... the list could go on. This isn't just about Hillary's supporters or Barack's or McCain's, this is about the fact that with a variety of options comes more division based on non-issue-related factors.
Yes, racists exist and will definitely not vote for Barack no matter what. Sexists exist who will definitely not vote for Hillary no matter what. But I think the real bulk of the thinking boils down to people feeling more comfortable with people they can relate to, whether that's due to age, race, gender or some combination of the three. I think the statistics on who is voting for whom bear that out (for the most part) and that you can't simplify it to one issue.
It certainly makes politics more interesting, for better or for worse. For my money, I'm with Barack all the way the rich white boomers have had their way with wrecking the country, let's get some new thinking and a new cultural perspective in Washington.
david
· 1 year ago
Okay, but have any two candidates ever been so much the same "inside the box"? I mean, have you watched some of these debates? Policy can't decide this one. I think that their similarities are driving this not their differences. Even their respective blackness and femaleness make them the same. I mean, I'm sure plenty more people would have been better "represented" by John Edwards, but they didn't vote for him.
All Comments
But I think that people who pride themselves on being progressive, liberal, what-have-you, will rarely allow themselves to think in overtly racist ways. They'll simply follow their gut towards the candidate that they feel resonates with them and it just so happens that the closer to their station in life, the more likely the resonance will be strong. They'll tell themselves, "I'm not a racist, I just don't think Obama is ready (read: he's too young)" or among Barack's supporters, "I'm not sexist, I just think that Barack has a better head on his shoulders"... the list could go on. This isn't just about Hillary's supporters or Barack's or McCain's, this is about the fact that with a variety of options comes more division based on non-issue-related factors.
Yes, racists exist and will definitely not vote for Barack no matter what. Sexists exist who will definitely not vote for Hillary no matter what. But I think the real bulk of the thinking boils down to people feeling more comfortable with people they can relate to, whether that's due to age, race, gender or some combination of the three. I think the statistics on who is voting for whom bear that out (for the most part) and that you can't simplify it to one issue.
It certainly makes politics more interesting, for better or for worse. For my money, I'm with Barack all the way the rich white boomers have had their way with wrecking the country, let's get some new thinking and a new cultural perspective in Washington.