I've come to the conclusion race is the only reason

[doc03]

Obama is not 20 points ahead of McCain. This Administration has been the biggest failure since Herbert Hoover and Obama isn't blowing McCain out of the water what else could it be? I am sure in this area that's the issue, how else could you explain McCain is still ahead in Ohio or West Virginia? For God sakes we should take every electoral vote this year.

[ananda]

1. Also..

Don't discount the media's role in this.

[unfrigginreal]

2. I agree race is the biggest factor

As you say Obama should be ahead by a lot. But there are still more conscientious people in the USA than there are bigots. That's why we'll win anyway.

[PBS Poll-435]

3. It would be much easier to blame it on race

But not realistic.

This country in 20 years has changed from one of fluid ideology into something much more fixed.

It is a semi-permanent 40/40/20 split.

Face it, the Republicans could nominate Mark Foley for President, the Democrats could nominate Al Gore, Bill Clinton, or even JFK and the Republican would still get at least 40 percent of the vote.

[doc03]

6. They had a poll on a local TV station

a couple days ago, who will you vote for Obama or McCain. This area is 2-1 registered Democrat and the poll is 66% McCain and 34% Obama just the opposite. Ohio is a state hurt more than most by this wrecking crew, our Congressman Bob Ney (R) just got out of prison, and the Taft Administration was a total disaster and yet Obama struggles to get ahead here.

[Miss Chybil]

7. Your argument makes sense except when you look at the Red states -

where they are, their cultural make-up and also look at the GOP convention itself. Race is a factor. It's very black and white - or, blue and red.

Edit to add a second thought:

After thinking about what I just said and the facts on the ground, I've come to the conclusion this is aa CULTURAL thing, not simply a race thing. So, I think your argument is right on.

[PBS Poll-435]

9. It may be a factor, but it is not the largest factor.

And are you talking about Indiana or Idaho?

Wyoming or West Virginia?

South Dakota or South Carolina?

:shrug:

[Miss Chybil]

12. Yes, I edited my first thought to add a second.

I believe it's a cultural thing, more than purely a race thing.

[PBS Poll-435]

13. That is why I have hope

Cultures can evolve and modernize. They do it all the time.

I am less optimistic about true racists.

[Solomon]

25. Pardon me while I roll my eyes.

Denial crew to the rescue.

[doc03]

21. I'm talking about the Ohio valley E.O, WV and W.PA area n/t

[Iterate]

14. Not really a matter of blame or ideology,

but just looking back from the current alignment, decade by decade, seeing the source of each parties power and the nature of their arguments. Immigration and empire have also been there every time in some fashion, right back to the beginning. Don't get me wrong though -I'm an optimist.

[Peregrine Took]

4. You are absolutely correct.

[Iterate]

5. Agree

I've tutored German students on occasion and have to begin by saying that nothing in our society or history can be understood without understanding racial slavery first. I know now that I will not live long enough to see an election that doesn't look like some version of a civil war map. Race has been in every election, every single one.

[Genevieve]

8. Agree. nt

[Happyhippychick]

10. Oh definitely.

[Upton]

11. You just now reached that conclusion?

Electing Obama always was and is going to be an iffy proposition...the primary reason is undoubtedly race.

[doc03]

18. I admit myself I didn't support Obama

in the primaries even though I thought he was the best candidate. The reason was I just didn't think a black man could win. I live in an area that's like 95% white and I know how bigoted people are here I hear it every single day. I just hope the rest of the state of Ohio can offset these morons around here.

[TK421]

15. No...not race, but qualifying status....people want to hear what it is he has to

offer...opposed to McCains strategy....

There are a lot of scared people out there right now...especially with the stock market falling and all of this shit

[unfrigginreal]

19. C'mon...you've got to admit that race is playing a part in this

It wasn't until this week that we got the 'white woman' vote back in the polls. I STRONGLY believe that it will not keep Obama out of the White House. This Country is better than that even if we allow bigots to breed.

[TK421]

22. We are on the same page here...but the race card does not play a part in this

this is NOTHING but a distraction from the really important issues

Rove is using this to his advantage, I assure you of that

[FrenchieCat]

16. It is more the manner in which the media has approached the issue of race,

than race itself.

The media is very much responsible how people view certain issues; which is why they are called opinion makers. The media deliberately chose to highlight Obama's race as a negative, when it didn't have to. Certainly there were always those that may not have voted for Obama due to his biracialness anyways, but the media has been fostering the divisions in this country in reference to race, and they have even taken a special glee in doing so. They had a choice, and they made it. But maybe it is not all bad, because in their encouraging racism to show its face with pride, they have brought to the fore something that might have gone unseen.

It is my belief that Barack Obama will win this election regardless of the percentage of racists that are out there....but yes, that is the large reason that he is not further ahead. However, that means that we will not be surprised with a Bradley effect, since most who won't vote for him due to his race have made that perfectly clear. Indeed, it may be those voters who will vote for Obama in the privacy of the booth, but won't admit it, that may end up shocking many of us.

[begin_within]

17. Ideology is just as big of a prejudice as race, gender, religion, sexual orientation

People pass judgement on other people based strictly on their ideology or political orientation. "Oh he's just a liberal." "Egad, she's a hard-right conservative." I know I certainly do. Those just never seem to budge.

[iceman66]

20. Agree 100%.

I can't think of another reason why he would be struggling in Ohio.

Obama is even limited in his ability to respond to McCain's attacks, for fear of being perceived as an "angry black man".

[goodgd_yall]

23. I think it's a big reason

It's a big reality check on how bigoted much of AMerica still is.

[zbdent]

24. um ... hello ... complacent media ...

Ohio is notorious for either being middle of the road or leaning Repuke when an overwhelmingly popular Dem isn't already in the White House ...