UPDATED: "The race vote"
GOP consultant says racism will be worth 15 percent to McCain vs. Obama
UPDATED: "The race vote"
The war in Iraq is an unpopular as ever, gas prices just hit a record of $3.51, stores are running out of food ("and I ain't lyin"*), so you would think that the candidate of the party that's been in power during this fiasco would be losing by 15 points or so in the polls right now, even if were a decorated war hero. But in fact, John McCain runs neck and neck in the polls with the Democrats, maybe even slightly better against Barack Obama.
Here's what an unnamed GOP strategist told the Politico's Roger Simon tonight:
The Republican shook his head. “You’re missing the most important one,” he said. “Race. McCain runs against Barack Obama and the race vote is worth maybe 15 percent to McCain.”
Simon says that, sadly, a new AP poll suggests he may be right:
How big is that percentage? An AP-Yahoo poll conducted April 2-14 found that “about 8 percent of whites would be uncomfortable voting for a black for president.”
I don’t know if 8 percent sounds high or low to you, but I was amazed that 8 percent of respondents were willing to admit this to a pollster. And I figure that the true figure is much higher.
The same poll, by the way, found that 15 percent of voters think Obama is a Muslim. He is, in fact, a Christian. But thinking a person is a Muslim probably does not encourage you to vote for him in America today.
I'm more optimistic -- the way I interpret those numbers, that means that 7 percent of Americans would consider voting for a black Muslim for president...just kidding. The sad truth is that some racism in America is going to be with us for a long time. The interesting question is whether political strategists are talking about "the race vote" because it exists, or because they plan to foment it.
* Aretha Franklin UPDATE: I think the "race vote" includes the South Carolina "pastor" who put up this sign: Byrd said that the message wasn't meant to be racial or political.
"It's simply to cause people to realize and to see what possibly could happen if we were to get someone in there that does not believe in Jesus Christ," he said.
The scariest part of all is that the Clinton campaign has been dog-whistling these deep-seated fears herself. By the time of the General Election, even some who thought they MIGHT be comfortable with a Black man will have been rationalized into thinking its ok not to.— gimmeabreak
Clearly the opposition to Obama will foment it, although probably in indirect ways. But the worst thing is that the media may foment it by reporting it as an issue. I am beginning to lose faith in our democracy when one out of seven Americans are so ill informed to think that Obama is Muslim. On the other hand, the ignorant are also the ones that don't vote, so it may not matter as much as one fears.- The sad truth is that some racism in America is going to be with us for a long time. ......Typical Bunch: suggesting that just because some Americans wouldn't vote for Obama because he's black, it means that they're racist. Racism has absolutely nothing to do with it. (Well, except for the fact that it does.)— Talking point sleuth
Comment removed.- "What percentage of black will not vote for McCain because he is white?-------------- Or that is irrelevent in the Liberal, illogical, moronic world---------------" Posted by The Genius More Genius/Idiot logic. I'm black, IDIOT and I voted for Kerry, Gore and Bill Clinton twice. Last I checked they were all very white. I will vote for Obama over McCain because I think he's a better candidate. It amazes me that clowns like you who voted for Bush TWICE dare call others moronic and illogical.— Damgoodbodies
- I'm black, IDIOT and I voted for Kerry, Gore and Bill Clinton twice. Last I checked they were all very white.... Indeed, virtually any African American who has ever voted for a presidential candidate has voted for a white presidential candidate. I guess that fact is too complicated for idiot (aka "genius) to wrap his feeble mind around. But you know, it doesn't stop him from assuming that any black who votes for Obama is doing so because they're racist. Idiot - so stupid it hurts.— Talking point sleuth
- It's a sad state of our nation that race would still be an issue. And Barack is the most intelligent, well-spoken highly educated man around. Are folks saying they want another Bush??? Oh please no. It's so hypocritical that a church would foster lies and confusion. And Obama is a Christian! Don't they remember that Jesus said there's no longer Jew nor greek, male nor female, slave nor free, but all are one in Him? I'm white, but it doesn't matter the color of a man's skin. It's honesty, integrity and leadership that are important.— Trudie McInroy Morton
- Who is fanning what? Yes, spin your hearsay Obama negativity, Attywood, on the eve of the PA primary! Hillary cannot win GE if by a miracle she is nominated. Obama? In spite of all the hate out there and all the fanning of the hate by networks, talking heads and bloggers, the MSM, one should not be so certain that Senator Obama would not give old Senator McCain a great contest in the G.E. and just prevail. Look how Barack Obama has kept Hillary and Bill and Chelsea on the run! Remember Rendell stated in a local press even before the primary arrived PA that his state won't vote "black"! For whatever their reasons, PA 35,000 strong of the full spectrum of the state and nation, were on Independence Mall Friday evening for the Obama rally. Do you have a blog on t h a t with photos? What ever comes down in the end, the one man, junior senator from Illinois, turned Primary '08 upside down. As one poster in another space stated--from Community Organizer to candidate for the Presidency is like going from bat boy to major leagues. What ever comes down, Senator Obama has had a great income boost on his 2007 tax return too with the sale of his books: What? $4.2 mill? What ever comes down, Senator Obama has experienced a LIFE EVENT and the WHOLE WORLD NOW KNOWS HIS NAME AND HIS GIFTS! He and Michelle and their daughters have a great and productive life ahead of them doubtlessly, God continuing to shine on their young lives, win or lose the Presidency! Again, Attywood, as this astounding primary '08 moves another step toward its resolution, this is all you could offer? RACE as HATE, couched in political inuenndo! Polls signifying bigotry? An unknown republican analyst fanning Obama GE defeat? This is my third visit to your blog site, and I must say I am disappointed! What pessimism you are promoting! I assumed I would read your thoughts on the election, not hearsay from other sources on bigotry of voters lurking out there that would benefit McCain.— CA Hope
- I'm neither black nor female, so I'm just voting for the better candidate. There's at least 15% of the population who won't consider voting for Hillary, so they're at least even on the unelectability issue. I feel that Obama will make me proud to be an American, so I'm voting for him.— wm18902
- 3.51? that's all? It's over 3.69 here in WA.— exrepublican
- Didn't Christ say that we are all brothers? I'm not even a Christian and I know more about Jesus than these freaks do.— exrepublican
- "Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me"--Jesus. Read on, exrepub— mike l
- "But thinking a person is a Muslim probably does not encourage you to vote for him in America today." You know, I've had several acquaintances say to me "But he's a Muslim!" When explaining that no, you're a moron, doesn't work, there's another, simpler rejoinder: "After the past eight years of a Christian running the country like Bush has, how could a Muslim do any worse?"— Cynicor
- Comment removed.
- atkinson: yeah but that's to be expected. White liberals like Will the Tool Bunch suck up by making sure they make a public display of their tsk-tsk attitude toward racism (like it's soooooo brave to do!) "Progressive" stereotypes and prejudice are okay of course, i.e. find one example of a "backward Christian hick" and project it onto everyone who fits the demographic of white and rural. Obama is a great "I'm better than THOSE people" candidate for sniveling white liberal sycophants like Will Bunch to show off their bona fides as amazing human beings. Then lo and behold the Second Coming, St. Obama the Messiah proves to be just another politician and a pretty weak one at that, so of course the Will Bunches get their panties in a Bunch and lash out with their progressive arsenal of tantrums.— Jack Klompus
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