NationStates Jolt Archive

This is a spinoff of a previous topic, Colin powell endorses obama.

I'd like to know everyones opinion on how much race and racism will influence this presidential election, both sides of it.
Or if you perhaps feel that race has has little to no impact.

I feel that it will hit Obama hard in the southern states (Stereotypical i know.) but he'd never pick them up anyway, i also feel that the candidates and parties, especially the clinton campaign early on, tried VERY hard to MAKE race an issue.

Depends how the black voter mobilization goes. IIRC 4 out of every 5 African-Americans usually vote Democrat as it is, so its likely to be more a case of making sure to get out the vote and increase black turnout than a dramatic change in the proportion of the black population who support the Democrats. If the black vote comes out in force, the crazy folk who proclaim they'll never vote for a non-white will be greatly outnumbered

Thats true, the black turnout will likely be higher.
I also think that the "Never a non-white" turnout will decrease because its Mccain, and despite his recent attempts to look exactly like bush, some of them will remember he didn't use to be like that.
That'll drop the extreme right vote

As far as Powell goes, I don't buy the race card at all. Are there African Americans that have registered to vote for the first time just to vote for Obama because he is also African American? Sure. We saw a similar situation when JFK ran. (beceause he's Catholic) It's all a good thing. The more that vote (regardless of sex, race, etc...) the more that will be paying attention to the issues and offering suggestions by writing their elected officials.

Agreed, an increased turnout, even if just from one demographic, is inherently a good thing.
If only everyone just took it upon themselves to... you know, go vote regardless of how crap the choices were :p for the lesser evil, or even just for a joke party.

The more that vote (regardless of sex, race, etc...) the more that will be paying attention to the issues and offering suggestions by writing their elected officials.

Assuming, of course, that voters actually pay attention to the issues, instead of voting for someone based on race/party affiliation/whose political ad they saw last/"I just feel this way based on the way they look/talk".

Most voters do not, in fact, become particularly informed about the issues (other than, say, abortion, which is more important than anything else in the Universe), but then, for the Presidential race, that doesn't really matter, since voters are generally disenfrancished there anyway.

Voters in most states don't get a meaningful say since the outcome of their state (e.g. California, Texas, New York) is pretty much predetermined, unless the entire election is a landslide in the other direction (in which case their vote *really* doesn't matter).

If you happen to actually live in a state where the election is somewhat close, good luck in hoping that the vote in your state can be counted to a precision sufficiently fine to be smaller than a number which represents your vote plus all the votes you could reasonably hope to influence.

Finally, of course, unless you are an actual Elector you aren't voting for President anyway, you are voting for a set of electors because in this country we aren't grown-up enough to actually vote for a President directly.

I can't say how race or racism will impact the election in general, but for me, Race doesn't even enter the equation. When I'm in that little booth, the only thing I ask is "Who do I think can do the job."

and right now... Looks like I'm voting for Gumby and Pooky again. :(

I can't say how race or racism will impact the election in general, but for me, Race doesn't even enter the equation. When I'm in that little booth, the only thing I ask is "Who do I think can do the job."

and right now... Looks like I'm voting for Gumby and Pooky again. :(

You should try Mario and Luigi some day.;) They are great Americans and have Americas best interest at heart.

Personally race doesn't factor either, unless, and this is the only circumstance it would, the person was born and raised in a foreign country.
Only reason that would impact me is because they wouldn't know the school system, so if education became the major issue of the election, that would be a bad point against them

I would like to hope that race is not an issue but it is. We see Obama on the TV everyday and nobody can hide the fact that he is black. That will always be in the back of people's mind. He really does stand out. McCain belnds in...but Obama... But the way things stand at the moment he is likely to get the top job. He just communicates better and has shown a lot of maturity even though he might lack experience. I think we shouldnt worry about it too much....xD

Race is definitely a factor for some people. I've seen many people claim that Obama being black is a reason you should be obliged to vote for him, for egalitarian purposes. I've also seen the opposite.

I think that unfortunately, race will factor into pretty much every decision from now until the end of time.
Including the choice of what to get from the vending machine... think about it!

Assuming, of course, that voters actually pay attention to the issues, instead of voting for someone based on race/party affiliation/whose political ad they saw last/"I just feel this way based on the way they look/talk".

Most voters do not, in fact, become particularly informed about the issues (other than, say, abortion, which is more important than anything else in the Universe), but then, for the Presidential race, that doesn't really matter, since voters are generally disenfrancished there anyway.

Voters in most states don't get a meaningful say since the outcome of their state (e.g. California, Texas, New York) is pretty much predetermined, unless the entire election is a landslide in the other direction (in which case their vote *really* doesn't matter).

If you happen to actually live in a state where the election is somewhat close, good luck in hoping that the vote in your state can be counted to a precision sufficiently fine to be smaller than a number which represents your vote plus all the votes you could reasonably hope to influence.

Finally, of course, unless you are an actual Elector you aren't voting for President anyway, you are voting for a set of electors because in this country we aren't grown-up enough to actually vote for a President directly.

People may vote their first time because of race. Then when their candidate wins, it seems likely that at least some will begin to pay attentions to the issues. Not like it's really all that hard anyway. If Obama wins will we see the green jobs? Will we see progress with foreign affairs? Will we be able to go back to putting money in the cookie jar?

This is a spinoff of a previous topic, Colin powell endorses obama.

I'd like to know everyones opinion on how much race and racism will influence this presidential election, both sides of it.
Or if you perhaps feel that race has has little to no impact.

I feel that it will hit Obama hard in the southern states (Stereotypical i know.) but he'd never pick them up anyway, i also feel that the candidates and parties, especially the clinton campaign early on, tried VERY hard to MAKE race an issue.

Beats me, but I do (unfortunately) know 3 people who won't vote for Obama because he is black (one of them also won't vote for him because he's a muslim)

:(

I have stupid family members.
:(

People may vote their first time because of race. Then when their candidate wins, it seems likely that at least some will begin to pay attentions to the issues.

Really? Why would you expect that, given that current voters generally don't, unless you think that, say, the abortion issue is enough to decide who should be President?

Not like it's really all that hard anyway.

Well, it's not always easy to figure out where candidates actually stand on the issues when you have to judge from sound bites, stories/ads that are focused more on each other's character that each other's policy positions, and "debates" that are scripted 90 minute dissertations on "How Not to Answer the Question You Were Actually Asked."

Even when a candidate's stated position on a given issue is actually fairly clear, there is often a pretty big gulf between (1) what they say (2) what they will actually try to do and (3) what they can actually get done.

If Obama wins will we see the green jobs? Will we see progress with foreign affairs? Will we be able to go back to putting money in the cookie jar?

I'd like to think so, though I'm not holding my breath for any of it, especially the latter (the only President or Presidential candidate since the birth of the modern national debt who gave two flips about it was Ross Perot, who used it as a wedge issue; Clinton managed to pull off a surplus with the help of a good economy and by being deadlocked enough with a Republican Congress that neither the Democrats nor Republicans could implement their own spending-out-of-control plans).

I'm half white and half Puerto Rican and I only vote for candidates who are half and half. *nod*


;)

This thread brings up an interesting point. Obama and McCain should have a race. I say a lap around the White House, before passing the baton to their running mate (that must be why it's called that) who must run to the Washington Monument. Winner gets the Presidency.

This thread brings up an interesting point. Obama and McCain should have a race. I say a lap around the White House, before passing the baton to their running mate (that must be why it's called that) who must run to the Washington Monument. Winner gets the Presidency.

I'll release the hounds.

Really? Why would you expect that, given that current voters generally don't, unless you think that, say, the abortion issue is enough to decide who should be President?

That has been the case going back to JFK -vs- Nixon. TV debate ratings had a steady decline all the way to the year 2000. But with the economy, global warming now producing hurricane/tropical storm damage in Illinois, gas companies paying money to produce junk science that says AGW is a hoax. Russia attacking Georgia, 9-11, Afghanistan, Iraq, a possible Iran-Israel showdown, urban sprawl, nuke plants or windmills & solar, to drill or not to drill ...........people are paying attention.

I have no doubt race will matter, but I also suspect that many Americans who might otherwise be worrying about black and white are mostly going to worry about green this year. Fretting over the President's genetic heritage is the sort of luxury one can't really find so much time for when one is busy panicking about a tanking economy.

The Warren Buffet endorsement is a more important endorsement in my mind considering the current economic status the country is in.

You should try Mario and Luigi some day.;) They are great Americans and have Americas best interest at heart.

Mario and Luigi? they're related! Like hell I'm putting one family in charge of this country!

besides...

all they know about problem solving is smashing things and stomping them to jelly.

they are easily distracted by women

and they have major problems with turtles and mushrooms.

Mario and Luigi? they're related! Like hell I'm putting one family in charge of this country!

So what. they are my cousins good stand up guys. I would be secretary of state. I would make a good one to.

all they know about problem solving is smashing things and stomping them to jelly.

Nonsense they also know how to Leap over endless pits, and shoot fire from their mouths.


they are easily distracted by women

You would be distracted by that hottie peach as well. I mean common have you seen that women. God I stutter every time I try to talk to that smoking hot fox.

and they have major problems with turtles and mushrooms.

Nonsense we need to Smash those goombas and koopas if we dont they will destroy our democracy

No. Not enough to matter/nor sway my vote. Color doesn't always dictate your actions. I'm honestly aware of race and I have prejudices, but I know better than that.


Though I do find myself feeling a bit of guilt for not supporting Hillary. I do tend to swing toward the underdog tho.. but was she .. hell McCain is saying he is. I dunno man, I don't know why I wish she would've gotten at least the VP spot. I like Biden. I'm confused. Maybe I feel sorry for her. And actually I feel that if she would've gotten the VP , it would've only hurt Obama.. a black man AND a woman? Too much to swallow I'd think, in one gulp for many. Guess I only recognized her vigorous fight at the end.

But with the economy, global warming now producing hurricane/tropical storm damage in Illinois, gas companies paying money to produce junk science that says AGW is a hoax. Russia attacking Georgia, 9-11, Afghanistan, Iraq, a possible Iran-Israel showdown, urban sprawl, nuke plants or windmills & solar, to drill or not to drill ...........people are paying attention.

Well people care about the economy right now, obviously, but both candidates are making a lot of fairly vague statements -- both of them sound like they want to throw a lot of money at the problem, McCain more money to buy up bad debt, Obama more something about money at individual bad mortage holders/in foreclosure, but it's not obvious how you choose between two vaguely specified economic plans wrapped in a lot of soothing language. (Neither of which can possibly do anything but accelerate deficit spending *even more.*)

Global warming? Both candidates talk more about energy independence, and both talk about throwing the kitchen sink at the problem (all kinds of new energy, less energy use). McCain talks more about nuclear and added drilling, Obama just wants to do it all (including added drilling). If you hate/love nuclear power, sure, great, but it's not like we have a disagreement about "energy independence" or global warming in general here.

Russia attacking Georgia? Well...... so? I mean, it's news and everything, but given that the US didn't make any major moves in response to this, and it's not clear what McCain or Obama would have done differently from what we did(n't) do, this isn't much of an election issue in itself (other than a more general "character" or vaguely-defined "experience" issue).

Given the current track of the US increasingly looking at turning control over to Iraqis and pressure from Iraq to begin withdrawing, the practical difference between the candidates' policies is not large. No matter how much McCain talks about staying and achieving victory in Iraq, sooner rather than later the US will have to be phasing out its presence, and no matter how much Obama talks about needing to pull out he's unlikely to just yank out all US troops in January. There is a bit of a difference in degree, sure, but most likely either man would be pretty constrained by the events and years the US has already been in Iraq.

Israel and Iran? Well........ both candidates have gone to some lengths to fall all over themselves and reassure anyone who will listen that they, in fact, love Israel possibly more even than their own wives. In terms of Iran the biggest difference we've heard drawn between the two is what conditions under which each would or wouldn't talk to the leader of Iran. Whee.

One could go on but, honestly, I think a lot *more* people are more swayed by the image, say, of McCain as an old white guy who is so crazy maverick that he will pick a relatively unknown "hot hockey mom" politician with Obama's level of experience, and/or the image of Obama is a relatively young black guy who preaches the Religion of Change and picked a non-spotlight-stealing relative cipher with McCain's level of experience.

People may listen or say they listen to the issues, but a lot of people are trying to decide if McCain is more of an experienced leader with the courage to go up against his own party, or more of a crazy old guy who isn't much different than Bush but more dangerous, and if Obama is a dedicated agent of change who will bring a breath of fresh air to Washington, or if he is a self-obsessed newbie who's coasting on his celebrity status and his race.

It will depend. If voters, black and young, turn out like they did in the primary, McCain is fucked.

I have no doubt race will matter, but I also suspect that many Americans who might otherwise be worrying about black and white are mostly going to worry about green this year. Fretting over the President's genetic heritage is the sort of luxury one can't really find so much time for when one is busy panicking about a tanking economy.

http://chesapeakebaycoatings.com/images/dark_green_tank.jpg

?

Black will always vote for blacks. Even if four years from now, the US is in ruins, they'll still vote to re-elect Obama.

Black will always vote for blacks. Even if four years from now, the US is in ruins, they'll still vote to re-elect Obama.
Some of my ex's mothers .. late 40's mid 50's (black) wanted Hillary. I didn't talk to the dads.. cause well they were gone a good while back. But just them 2 black women alone tell me they would not vote for Obama simply cause he's black. Maybe young backs would .. yeah.

From a man that use to preach not race mixing.. I grew up hearing this. Glad I did. Good music. :hail: 50's $$

Wilbert Harrison (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8tZO97uhyE)

Little Richard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlkMc0ZaJmY) 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBTakXapwiE&NR=1) He was holding back big time, but still good.

Fats (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl5hknXqXps)

Bobby Darin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWswwBbRe70) (black song, white dude singing it)


Edit: He was pro Obama also .. ppl I've known, not his ppl.. but mine ..always thought he would be for a repub or the White dude.. .. Surprise! =)
Done.

I can't find my voter registration card.. that might be one less voter :(