What no one will say about Clinton and Obama

[DemDogs]

Is it possible that the only way we nominate a black is if he is half-white?
Is it possible that the only way we nominate a woman is if her husband had paved the way for her?

This isn't their fault, but it makes me uneasy to see all the celebration about it's being time for a change but the change we are offered are half-measures. Is it possible we will have compromised with the racists and sexists?

So vote for them if you think they are the best nominee for the party but don't think that you are really knocking down old walls. Those walls will still be up for most blacks and most women even if one of them is nominated.

[mkultra]

1. possible

both of these things are possible but if they are then its also possible that:


we will only vote for a lack man if we have before voted for a half black man
we will only vote for a woman if we have voted for one before.


Progress is progress in little or big steps.

[librechik]

2. too true

America is a bunch of idiots and the media like it that way--easier to sell their cheap easy stereotypes.

[goldcanyonaz]

3. Both Obama and Clinton are very qualified to run for President.

GWB had a daddy who was President and he won.

[Double T]

4. #41 paved the way for #43.

And so it goes. NO ONE is paving ANYTHING for John Edwards who barely gets ANY mention.

[NoPasaran]

10. Yet I have a dream that someday---and maybe that day isn't so far off

A white Southern male may yet be elected President of these United States.

[madmunchie]

5. If we look back far enough, we might find black blood in HC and Jewish

blood in BB......Isn't this nation becoming - soon by majority - a nation of mutts?

[Adelante]

6. A nation of mutts

And always was :D

[iamjoy]

7. You May Be Half Right

Let's look at Obama. His appeal is not just his skin color and features, but his personality and demeanor. If Barack Obama was not using a conciliatory, "lets get along" positive message, his campaign would be getting nowhere. That's not just because his message of hope is part of his whole appeal - but because we have enough latent racism in this society to be afraid of angry black men. If Obama were "dark and scary" few white people would vote for him.

As for Hillary, she is a smart and capable woman in her own right. It is true that some people are voting for her because they adore Bill. And you are probaly right that she wouldn't be successful if it weren't for him, but I see it symbiotic - I don't think he would have gotten as far as he had without her behind him. Usually that's a cliche about behind every great man... But in the case of the Clintons, I really think it's true. I think without the name recognition though, she wouldn't be doing nearly so well. I mean, no one mentioned Janet Napolitano or Kathleen Sebelius as possible candidates. These are very competent (Top 5 in the nation according to Time magazine) and respected female governors who have been victorious in red states.

So, you have a point about we haven't moved as far to racial and gender equality as it would seem.

[DemDogs]

8. Interesting point. Is it necessary for an AA to be conciliatory?

Will he ever be able to be confrontational? I think we will need it. Why have the civil rights leaders/elders been less than early and enthusiastic about him? No answers here but it raises some interesting questions.

As for her qualifications, if HRC were running on her own real record, it would be one thing, but she is running on "their" record, which means she doesn't even try to stand on her own merits. This is a bad thing for women. If a man did it, what would you think?

[Sparkly]

9. I think the woman has to be "strong on defense," and the black man has to be unthreatening.

Just a hunch -- nothing to back that up.

The woman has to be "feminine" in some ways, and tough in others. She has to show she's no-nonsense (so she'll be called a bitch) and also that she's got a soft side (so she'll be called weak). Tricky.

The black man has to focus on unity so white people don't get afraid. Jesse Jackson, Kweisi Mfume, and even Julian Bond would probably been seen as too activist on behalf of minorities (thus not trusted -- taps into what I think is whites' fear of minorities). He must emphasize compromise and bringing people together.

I think they're both where they need to be, and that's fine.

[DemDogs]

11. Is it fine? Neither one as Rosa Parks

A half black man who has to be unthreatening to be acceptable.... so he does that. Would he ever refuse to move to the back of the bus? Or does he think he could talk himself into a front seat?

A wife of a war protester (not the way the Repugs will phrase it) who talks tough.... but didn't have the guts (also not the way the Repugs will say that) to leave him when he broke the rules.

Are those really our choices? Hurray for civil rights and women's rights?

Color me depressed.