Klobuchar's astute point on racism's perceived extension to Trump voters

[question everything]

(snip)

But something caught my attention, something as unanticipated as it was welcome. When asked about Donald Trump’s supporters in the context of his alleged racism, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota made the following comment:

“There are people that voted for Donald Trump before that weren’t racist; they wanted a better shake with the economy and so I would appeal to them.”

I did a double take when I heard those words, pressed the rewind button, and played the moment again. And again. And a third time. I could not believe that a Democrat, let alone a Democratic woman running to replace Donald Trump, had stated in front of millions of her fellow Americans that some of them weren’t racist just because they wore MAGA hats and voted for the alternative to Hillary Clinton. My first thought was how much courage it took for Klobuchar to make that statement. My second thought was that my first thought was tragicomic. Up until a few years ago, I never would have assumed that people could be accused of “racism by association” because they had voted for a particular candidate.

(snip)

That’s why Klobuchar’s comments felt virtually heroic in contrast to the vast majority of her colleagues who are playing the hatred and blame game. The difference between Klobuchar, who is clear on her opposition to Trump, and so many others on the left is that she is willing to examine why someone who is not racist might have pulled the lever for Donald Trump: health care, the economy, social issues like abortion and same-sex marriage, and our national security.

Klobuchar thinks Trump is a racist. But she has the decency not to accuse her fellow Americans of bigotry simply because of some political differences. It’s time for others to back her up.

http://www.startribune.com/klobuchar-s-astute-point-on-racism-s-perceived-extension-to-trump-voters/514509922/

[brush]

1. Stop coddling them. They voted for a known racist so what does that make them?

And now they're killing more people. It's just gone on and on since Charlottesville and has gone beyond just racism to white supremacy.

[sharedvalues]

29. They're lied to by Fox and Limbaugh.

How could anyone possibly give a list of reasons why people voted for Trump and NOT mention the lying rightwing media where most Trump voters get their news?

Fox and Limbaugh and rightwing radio and WSJ opinion and Bret Stephens and Daily Caller and Ben Shapiro and NRAtv and OANN and Sinclair are THE BIGGEST REASON why people voted for Trump.

Why do so many of us ignore rightwing media lies?

[brush]

32. Many saw thru the lies. Perhaps those who didn't just wanted to get rid of the black guy.

It happens. Racism is sometimes just beneath the surface.

[sharedvalues]

33. Watch "the Brainwashing of my Dad"

It describes a formerly tolerant man, brainwashed over years by Fox and Limbaugh.

Rightwing propaganda can change minds and create racists.

[brush]

39. I've watched it. 24/7 right wing propaganda works.

And we have it coming out of the White House now too.

[thesquanderer]

43. For some people in homogenous areas of the country, racism is an abstract concern.

That is, even if they don't like it, it doesn't affect them personally. If you're the candidate who they think is going to bring back your job, they might give you a pass on not liking {insert whatever ethnic group here} as a mere minor character flaw.

[in2herbs]

2. I do not agree. If there is racism in a candidate and you pull the voting lever for that candidate

you are a racist. You may be in denial about your racism but that doesn't change the facts. Same with all of the other abhorrent attributes that Trump showed. These voters supported his racism, sexism and all other traits. If they didn't approve they wouldn't have pulled the lever for him.

[question everything]

6. How many of us have voted for candidates - at different levels of government - that we did not

like? That, in many cases, we held our nose?

Many voters saw a dysfunction government; many, yes, saw the shuttered factories, many non college white men in rural areas thought (probably still do) that the Democrats care more about specific groups but not about them, and like many thought, still do that we need a "businessman" in the White House.

This does not mean that we should write them off. To borrow from Carville 1992 slogan: it is the electoral college (stupid).

[in2herbs]

9. I have voted for candidates I did not necessarily like, but I have NEVER knowingly voted for a

candidate who personified racism, sexism, pedophilia, etc. If Trump was a D I would not vote for him. I am a human being first and a democrat second.

[question everything]

12. I think that with Trump - not try to apologize for him - many thought it was an act

After all, a "celebrity" and many thought, hoped, that once he took office he would pivot. Obviously did not.

The reality is that we, on DU, take our responsibility as voters very seriously. We study the candidates, we study the issues. Many, especially with "social media" just look at the headlines. And for many the connection with a candidate is visceral. There is nothing in common between Reagan, Clinton, Obama and Trump except that all appealed to voters on a visceral level. And we will have to accept this.

A parent of a former co-worker, from South Dakota, voted for Trump. Why? Because they always voted Republican. End of discussion.

I remember realizing, in the summer of 2015, that Trump could win. Because of the way he talked - nothing scripted there - he used common language that many could relate to. No policies, no grand ideas just simple sentences and words.

Which is ironic, of course, since Klobuchar is behaving in a rational way.. Many of us like the moderates because they are rational while the others appeal to the emotions..

[Politicub]

24. How are you so sure?

You post this with so much certainty about what motivates Trump voters:

After all, a "celebrity" and many thought, hoped, that once he took office he would pivot. Obviously did not.

I see the trajectory differently. The Trump voters embrace his hatred and want to see more of it. There are a handful of misguided souls, I suppose, that were foolhardy enough to ignore reality and vote for a wish.

The Trump base wants to see their political adversaries hurt more. They thrive off of abuse of refugees. They gleefully laugh at Trump’s statements about minority men and women in Congress.

As for Klobuchar’s courage, her position about winning over misguided Trump voters matches the position of the other centrist nominees.

And honestly, what voters will Klobuchar win over? If a voter hasn’t regretted their vote for Trump by now, magic words won’t suddenly cause them to see the naked emperor.

If you look at my post history, I have voiced support for Klobuchar. I still would support her despite her quixotic Trump-voter overture attempt. But what I will not do is accept the message that we only need to understand the wretched conditions of some Trump voters so they can be wooed to the D column.

[SWBTATTReg]

10. I never ever voted for a candidate that I've had to hold my nose. My beliefs in a just and ...

benevolent society for all applies to everyone, every time. Period. No Compromises.

And I already knew that a so called businessman as president of the US would be bad. rump has proven this repeatedly by fighting every lawsuit, hiding his taxes, hiding notes on meetings, denying everything, hiring the so called 'best people' (yeah, right).

A scumbag businessman, already w/ a reputation of possibly dealing w/ the mob, lying right and left on everything, a sexual predator of the worse kind, who would thought?

[question everything]

14. Remember Ross Perot?

The most successful third party candidate. Why? Because he was a successful businessman and many thought this is what we needed.

As I replied, above, we, in DU study the issues, the candidates, and the consequences. Most voters do not.

[SWBTATTReg]

15. Yes, I remember him. My parents were really into him. I didn't trust him since sometimes he...

would mouth off something inadvertently and stick his foot in his mouth. Again, just because someone is successful at something doesn't mean that they'll be successful at governing. The concepts of governing vs. running a company are different. If folks are wanting perhaps his skill set in dealing w/ people from his company's perspective, then they already are going to have problems, as not everything is measured in dollars and cents.

[question everything]

21. Completely agree. But for too many people this is an important trait

They way I used to explain was that successful business people know they need to get rid of non-performing assets; in a country, "non performing" assets are the poor, the sick and the elderly.

And, yes, for many Trump supporters, while they see their disability and unemployment payments as a right, they certainly don't support them for non-whites.

No, we cannot change all the Trump supporters, but if we can just flip one electoral vote, it will be worth it.

[dflprincess]

11. If Trump's racism wasn't a deal breaker

Then the people who voted for him need to stop claiming they are not racist and take a hard look at themselves.

And yes, I've voted for candidates I don't like. Amy is one of them.

[Wellstone ruled]

40. Amy's statements are

the truth. The feedback that I and other Persons working the phone banks were hearing this from our Middle aged Registered and regular voting Dems. Amy was and is right on.

[hlthe2b]

3. Well, it is the "exception" that proves the rule after all.

Her statement is pragmatic. Courageous? I don't know about that (and I say that with no mean to criticize Klobuchar, but she is looking for cross-over votes)

[dflprincess]

44. Pragmatic describes her

Courageous not so much. On any issue that's the least bit controversial

[JudyM]

4. People who dismiss all the trump voters are missing an important strategic angle to win.

Klobuchar is right. As is Sanders, who has been saying that for quite a while, and taking vitriol from some for it. There are likely enough of those voters who could be swayed to solidify a win for us.

[brush]

16. Please. That didn't work for Sanders before and won't work now.

They voted for trump and his racist dog whistles. Now his people are coming out openly white supremacist and killing Latinx and African Americans (7 of the 9 killed in Dayton were African American).

Why does anyone think whites who have voted repug for several presidential cycles are all of a sudden going to vote Dem? We don't need to go after those lost causes. We need to get our votes out and stop the repugs from vote suppressing black and Latinx votes.

[JudyM]

23. Yes. They voted for trump. Over Clinton.

She actually played right into the “elitist” characterization they mock us with, with her “deplorables” comment. They beat us by making a large swath of voters feel alienated from Dems.

[brush]

27. Wrong. They didn't beat us. They cheated, suppressed votes and had Russian help.

Clinton had 3m more votes.

They cheated as they've done in every race they've won the WH since Eisenhower. Nixon committee treason with the Vietnamese to win. Reagan committed treason with the Iranians to win. Daddy Bush only won as Reagan's VP. W Bush cheated in Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004 and trump cheated in 2016.

Don't fall for the hype. The only time they "win" is when they cheat.

[JudyM]

41. You don't win with the popular vote; if we had more votes, e.g., in the Midwest, we would've won.

Yes, they cheat, it’s their main play. And it does us no good to sit here and complain about it, because there is no independent umpire to take notice and deliver us from their sins, they have the Supremes.

We have to outstrategize them. Enough votes, of any stripe, to win the electoral college means we win. Being a purist about who we’re targeting may deliver some righteous moral contest, but not elections. I’m not saying compromise our values, I’m saying strategic marketing appeal of our values to the broader public will fortify us.

That and, of course, fix our damned voting infrastructure!

[brush]

45. It's a waste of time to go after whites who have voted repug for several presidential...

cycles now. Who wants to change our platforn to cater to them?

There are other voters our time is better spent on.

[bronxiteforever]

5. Christine Flowers is Philly's answer to Sean Hannity

[question everything]

7. Shooting the messenger?

[bronxiteforever]

18. Nope. I like Senator Klobuchar. Flowers hates us.

No I wouldn’t shoot anyone but I certainly don’t know about Flowers.

Why I’m ready to buy a gun | Christine Flowers
Updated: January 10, 2019 - 1:05 PM

But it’s time to take my life into my own hands, forget about all of the anti-gun rhetoric that I hear bandied about by those who exploit tragedy for their own political purposes, and make 2019 the year that I stop expecting others to look out for me.

https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/gun-safety-self-defense-philadelphia-20190110.html

[bigtree]

8. those folks took in a greater share of whatever economic benefits we had

...than the Latinos and African Americans they blamed (along with Trump) for their economic condition.

Coddling them on this isn't what they need.

If there was one message the white working-class got from Hillary in that campaign, it almost certainly was that black lives were going to matter in her presidency. Hillary challenged white Americans to acknowledge their economic successes and take heed of those who have been left behind in the recovering economy. More importantly, Hillary insisted that white Americans should recognize and appreciate the role race plays in the failure of the black community to fully benefit from the economic recovery.

"For many white Americans," Hillary said, "it’s tempting to believe that bigotry is largely behind us. That would leave us with a lot less work, wouldn’t it? But more than half a century after Rosa Parks sat and Dr. King marched and John Lewis bled, race still plays a significant role in determining who gets ahead in America and who gets left behind."

That seemingly obvious reasoning should be commonplace in our political debate, but these truths have been overlooked throughout our nation's history. Black economic gains have always lagged behind those of white Americans, certainly not just during the Obama administration, or Trump's. In the present economy, blacks have experienced the slowest economic recovery of any group of Americans.

Yet, Trump convinced enough white Americans he shared their abhorrent view that blacks and immigrants were responsible for their economic distress, enough to make the difference in his campaign. An economic argument alone isn't addressing these voters where they actually stand.

[YOHABLO]

13. Perhaps we had better not rub it in. The few that she references are in denial.

Klobuchar may be right, but the majority are anti-intellectual, anti-gov't, so they got what they voted for. If I were naive enough to have voted for Trump, I would would be feeling a great sense of shame.

[peggysue2]

17. I'm willing to accept Klobuchar's take if and when we see . . .

these same people/voters come out against Donald Trump in 2020. As to their 'concerns' regarding healthcare, the economy and national security, Trump has failed on all fronts despite the chest-beating. The economy is not working for working class citizens (those jobs in steel and coal are not coming back) and his tariffs are merely a tax on all Americans. There is no plan for healthcare other than repeal Obamacare. In addition, Trump's ignorant, buffoonish behavior has made us less safe both here and abroad. That leaves the social issues, the traditional wedge positions to hang onto while Donald Trump's active incitement of racism and bigotry is in clear view.

Sorry, but if you support someone who is actively enabling racism, using a bullhorn for racist/bigoted tropes and memes then you're supporting racism & bigotry.

Silence is complicity. Voting is enabling. No one gets to shrug this off or pretend that it's simply 'a political difference.' It's a moral decision. You support common decency and rational thought . . . or you don't.

Because we all know who Trump is; he's exposed himself to the world from Day 1.

Excuses do not/will not work.

[pangaia]

19. 'racism' can be a very subtle, almost invisible thing......

up until....... some one seemingly small thing happens..
maybe the term prejudice can fit in somewhere.... language, semantics
or---- something one is blind to that when is lanced, teaches one something...

I am about as liberal as can be, as is my sister..
2 examples..

Background-- i grew up in teaneck, NJ----our little best friends group was--- me-the WASP, the red-headed catholic, the 'greasy-haired italian, the med-dark skinned jew, the "american indian whose father was a 'chief' from OK, the only chinese guy in the school,and the black guy.

the stories---

1---maybe 25 years ago I was walking in NYC with my Mexican girlfriend after dinner back to her apartment.. maybe 11 pm...a somewhat deserted street.. I saw coming toward us a young black guy... I suggested we cross the street... one could discuss that for hours.... did i cross the street because he was black, would i have crossed if he was white, or... just asking myself that question was a good learning experience... and i have dated black women in my LONG , (so far) life, &lt )

2---My sister lives in Long Beach and has been married to a black guy for, oh now about 30 years.. surrounded by latino(a)s, thai, vietnamese, chinese, hmong,, you name it ( would be paradise for me LOL)) When I told her i was dating a Mexican woman she said, "really, oh but they are so lazy." I couldn't believe my ears.


I am not taking sides for or against what Klobuchar says, BUT-- there very often IS something inside our psyche that can see "something different'....


..........
OH, the town were I live, not far from rochester, ny is what my chinese ex-wife calls 'white bread town'.
can't agree with her more-- BOOORRING-- especially the restaurant choices ...Wish I lived in.. oh toronto !!!

anyway.... in the last 2-3 years there have been more and more black, hispanic, chinese and middle eastern people moving here.. I have no idea why or what is going on.. but i sure like it...visiting the town park is becoming MUCH MORE fun... different smells from the grills, languages, music...

[thesquanderer]

42. There's that saying, everyone's just a little bit racist.

If you're going to say you don't want the votes of anyone with the tiniest racist bone in their body, you'd better be prepared to lose an awul lot of elections.

[Bettie]

20. I've voted for people I've disagreed with on major issues

however, I've never knowingly voted for a racist or a rapist. I've never voted for a person who would openly mock a disabled person, I've never voted for a person who used racist rhetoric in every one of their rallies.

These people all knew who Trump was when they voted for him. So, maybe they don't think they are racist, but boy howdy, they sure do support it.

[Garrett78]

22. I thought maybe this was from The Onion, but I see that it isn't.

[Politicub]

26. As I read the post, I kept waiting for a /sarcasm tag to appear.

[jcgoldie]

25. She's wrong

People didn't vote for Trump because of "economic anxiety" that's bullshit rationalization for white people angry and scared of losing white privilege.

[Hoyt]

28. I like Klobuchar, and there probably were some trump voters who aren't inveterate racists (just

willing to accept a racist as Prez). I'd put those at about 2% of his voters.

Those that still support trump are clearly racists, Deplorables and a blight upon our country.

[Ponietz]

30. It will never heal without JUSTICE

Klobuchar in 1866: “There are people that [supported the Confederate States of America] before that weren’t [apologists for slavery]; they wanted a better shake with the economy and so I would appeal to them.”

Impeachment should have begun in January, 2017. Confrontation is inevitable and best ASAP.

[crazytown]

34. An impeachment Investigation is underway. Chairman Nadler said so.

No only did he say so, but it was stated in a submission to the Federal Court. People are looking for a formal resolution of the House. It is unnecessary and won't happen. HR 430, conferred the full powers of Article 1 of the Constitution on the Judicial Committee. The have all the powers of an Impeachment Investigation, and are conducting one.

The poll of Democratic Representative is those willing to impeach the President. That corresponds the number who would be prepared to vote for a Formal Resolution to establish an Impeachment Investigation, but it is not the same thing.

[Ponietz]

35. I know, thanks

[crazytown]

37. You're welcome.

The main game is winning.

[crazytown]

31. If the MAGAts were not sympathetic to racism in 2016, they have no excuse is 2020.

What do you call the Germans that stood by as the shop windows were smashed, the synagogues burnt down, the camps were built, while friends and neighbors marched out of their homes, and a privileged few who got to watch the trains pass by? Like the Republicans silent in Congress, who cares what was/is in their hearts. If the jack boot fits, wear it.

(And Trump's approval is still 42%)

[frazzled]

36. No, sorry, not at this point

One might have been willing to allow for this for the first months of Trump's term, but by now, with two and a half years of overt race-baiting, immigrant-bashing, and bigoted tweets and statements, there is no more excuse for someone supporting Trump without also supporting his worst offenses: if a citizen continues at this point to support him, they are taking on the burden of his racism themselves. They are accepting it, and that is tantamount to supporting it.

[crazytown]

38. If the jack boot fits, wear it.

Their silence is consent.

[Skittles]

47. the economy was improving

and these people voted for a racist, sexist con man to be PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. FUCK THEM ALL.

[JI7]

48. what is their excuse in supporting him NOW ?

here is the problem. if they really are not racist they would understand why people would think they are based on the things trump has said and done.

and they would focus more on the actual racism from trump and stopping it than on what people think of them.

i don't expect candidates to say they are racists but i have a problem with those who supported him being offended that one would think they are racist.

[TreasonousBastard]

49. Over 60 million people voted for Trump, and I can't imagine they all voted for him...

simply because they were racists. Might as well insist they were crotch grabbing perverts.

Most of them had absolutely no idea about him other than his bluster and the TV show. Yes, he did appeal to that residual racism we all have to some extent, but I find it difficult to believe that was the main reason. Or much of a reason at all. Yes, the Klan types might have been all behind him, but that's still relatively few.

I suspect (but do not claim outright and absolutely) that a lot of his voters simply saw him as a viable choice against the Washington elite who haven't done shit for them. Or so they think. Look through history and see how many outsiders made a mark running for president, but never made it to the job.

Trump finally made it. The first since Andrew Jackson.

And how many of those 60 million or so are running around crying "I'm sorry. I fucked up and promise to never vote for such an asshole again. Shoot me, please." People are just not that into admitting their mistakes.

So, yeah, Amy's right, and we have no business damning around half of our fellow citizens for being racists, or whatever. We can, however damn them for being ignorant at the time, and assholes if they haven't learned by now.

[NNadir]

50. The man spewed hatred from day one. I'm not surprised at what's come, why should anyone be so?

[PatrickforO]

51. I hear what you're saying, but not sure if I agree.

Trump said so many outrageous things - the 'locker room talk,' the rapist comment, the inciting of violence in his rallies.

I saw Trump as a bad apple long before the election, and so would never, ever have voted for him in a million years.

[aeromanKC]

52. Enablers

She should know better coming from a family with alcoholism.

[emmaverybo]

53. She is right. She is sensible. To see the same sort of extreme thinking on the part of the left as I

do on the right is disheartening. All who voted for Trump were not motivated by racism. And yes, some do not believe Trump is a racist.

Not all Democratic Party voters are extremists. But some non-right wingers unfortunately believe all want open borders, a revolution in our system of government, and to do nothing bu5 tax and spend.

I am tired of extremism in general.

Good for Klobuchar not to embrace it particularly during national crisis.

[loyalsister]

54. She's got it backwards

Not all Trump supporters show blatant, aggressive, vitriolic bigotry. Some wouldn't go that far but would be angry if their kid brought home a Black friend. Others think of themselves as color blind but are willing to compromise if it is in their self interest, sometimes even reluctantly. Some voters simply don't see it as relevant.

There is partisan overlap among the "I'm not racist, but.." crowd.

She is underestimating or just not understanding the impact and extent of racism in our institutions and politics.

[NurseJackie]

55. I have zero intention of coddling and validating Trump supporters.

Klobuchar thinks Trump is a racist. But she has the decency not to accuse her fellow Americans of bigotry simply because of some political differences. It’s time for others to back her up.

I have zero intention of coddling and validating Trump supporters. Those "non-racist" Trump voters knew what they were getting into. They made a decision to support a blatantly racist candidate. If they're truly "non-racist" voters, then they are perfectly capable (on their own) of realizing that the Democrat is the better choice. They don't need hugs and head patting and kisses on the forehead. Fuck that shit!

A better strategy is GET OUT THE VOTE. For all the time and effort spent trying to coddle and coo a dozen "non-racist" Trump voters... an equal amount of effort could be put forth in GOTV efforts, and we'd end up with HUNDREDS of new voters and newly registered Democrats.

I think it's important to maximize the return on our party's investment of money and time. Why waste time with idiot Trump supporters?