I'm saddened by some of the racism in our party.

[PresidentObama]

At every stretch of this campaign, I run into Democrats that are openly racist.

One of them is a friend of mine from up in the north part of the state. He was a supporter of Hillary Clinton, and me and him both shared stories on primary night about our experiences at the polling place. We were both proud to support Hillary, but once Barack Obama won--I noticed something. It wasn't that he was just bitter over the outcome of the election, it was that he wasn't opening up to Barack Obama. Not at all. At first, I gave him the benefit of the doubt that maybe it was just lingering anger. But then I noticed some racist comments he made to me in our conversations about the election. The final straw came when he referred to Barack Obama as the "gorilla in the race." Keep in mind this is someone who I trusted, had great political conversations in the past, and whom I could talk policy with. And not only that but he, like me, was a homosexual. So he knew that kind of hate towards another human being first hand, because he (like so many of us) have felt it in our own life. I thought he'd be more open minded and welcoming, and that his sexuality would make him much more sensitive to the difference among us.

But my friend, a passionate Democratic voter and openly gay voter, is racist. And won't under any circumstance vote for Obama.

Now, I've got both of my parents--who are closet racists--to support Obama.

But some people aren't. And some are in our own party.

It's really sad, and sickening. Has any of you ran into this?

I knew whether it was Hillary or Barack, we'd run into this. Racism or sexism, I just knew one of them would play a role.

I'm a college student, so I really hope for our countries sake and my childrens sake...my generation is the one to put an end to racism in this country. It's gone on long enough, and I will not excuse it in our party.

[David Dunham]

1. You are right. Govs of PA and OH on a call today said Obama may lose 5% off polls due to race.

[PresidentObama]

2. If so, that's just sad. We need to wake up as a nation. I know Barack will win, but still.

Race nor gender should play a role in this election.

[seabeyond]

8. he will also gain from those that would never have been involved because

they have never been a part of it all.

[Tallison]

11. Yes, minorities are registering in record numbers

I'm sure it will be weeks after Nov. 4th before the statistics are in, but I hope they plant a compensatory dent in the 'bigot' vote.

[seabeyond]

17. or.... overwhelm it, wtf. why have low expectations. i have seen old white people that would

never think of voting for a black, getting his book and reading it and feeling good about voting for him. repugs voting dem when they have never crossed that line.

i am just not going to make it an issue. what is .... is. i can let it be and see the huge of what CAN happen in this nation

[Tallison]

32. Well, both constituencies are a reality

The rationale that I am, and the tight race that this is, I'm a little preoccupied by the statistics right now.

[Phoonzang]

26. I really tired of those two states deciding the election.

You've got some of the most virulent racism there. Michigan also.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

35. I can't forgive Rendell for his insidious remarks during the primaries.

It seemed as though he was using the 'people here are conservative and won't vote for a black man' and a lame excuse for his strident support for Hillary. I just didn't like his attitude and behavior during and immediately after the primaries. Strickland was more diplomatic but what he is doing to help Obama in his state? My guess is not much.

[progressiveforever]

38. Ohioan here--sadly they are right...but we will prevail

Racism will die. Obama's election will not kill it, but it will be further driven down.

[PresidentObama]

39. I feel your pain in Southwest Missouri.

We'll see progress when Barack is elected.

We've came a long way, haven't we? But we still have a long way to go.

[Medusa]

48. That's why i keep saying we have to be ahead 7-10 pts

in every poll in those key swing states to make sure we're out of the "Bradley effect" area.

[pnwmom]

52. I doubt that the "Bradley effect" is real. Why would a racist

pretend to a pollster that he would be voting for the black guy?

[AlCzervik]

3. My sister is a racist and i'm barely speaking to her and that's not going to change.

i wont allow that in my life from aomeone i know and i sure as hell don't want her around my kid. I only 1 sibling so it's not like i have a spare good one.

[PresidentObama]

4. It's tough because most of my family is racist. I just don't understand it.

I live in southern Missouri, and I know a lot of it is that.

But we have to overcome this shit. I can't believe too many are still stuck in the past.

[Tallison]

7. Power to you for evolving past it

that's sadly rare, from a sociological standpoint. As progressives, we can never discount the opportunity for change that's within everyone.

[AlCzervik]

12. change imo only happens from within and i hope people like my sister will have

an epiphany before she alienates everyone in her life.

[Tallison]

22. It's in her, but she has to choose it

As an RN, I know the power that confronting death has to force a reevaluation of one's values, often too late. I read Lee Atwater's biography with great interest. His conscience apparently tortured him over the last few months, as he experimented with different religions trying to indemnify his life's work. Mortality is the great democratizer.

[AlCzervik]

24. exactly, there is nothing i can for her but hope that she does change. It's put a massive

wedge between us as you can imagine and i cannot get past it.

[Tallison]

29. Pray for her?

Platitudinous, I know, but someone whose spirituality I greatly admire taught me to do this for people who have driven me to wit's end, and it often helps elevate my perspective. Who knows, it may inject some much-needed good energy into the social fruitcake, too.

::hug:

[AlCzervik]

10. i refuse to give in, she visited me this summer when it happened and it did not end well

our parents were not racist and she's married to Iranian, did a i mention she's selective in her racism? Her own 2 kids get shit for being persian so you would think she's be hyper sensitive about the issue---but sadly she isn't.

Unless she changes our realtionship is civil at best and thank the deity i live 3000 miles away from that mess.

[PresidentObama]

13. That's what I don't understand, my family is ok with my sexuality. But some body elses race?

What in the world is the difference?

We're all different in some fashion, but we share more in common than we do differences.

Racist, sexism, homophobia. We've GOT to get over this as a nation.

[AlCzervik]

19. i really think some people's brains are just wired differently, that's the only thing i got.

[PresidentObama]

20. I just don't think there is any excuse for racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.

[Tallison]

5. I personally haven't encountered much BUT...

as you say, most racism is closeted these days.

I suppose what's frustrating is suspecting the bounds by which Obama would be ahead in the polls if he weren't a minority. That's effin' maddening.
:banghead:

[PresidentObama]

9. There is no doubt in my mind he'll win. But any racism, especially in our party, is sad.

It's 2008.

I wish Americans acted like it.

[iamthebandfanman]

23. you cant really count the last 7 years

as the country as a whole (mindset and other wise) has moved backwards...

thats the agenda of a 'conservative'
keep things the same, or heck, reverse it...
that is their nature by definition of the word, and they stick to it.

i was really optimistic in the 90s that the young people(myself included in that group at the time) were getting over it...
mostly because most white kids were going to school and being around others of other skin colour on a daily basis...
but under bush and his fear based politics which has scared people using religion and ethnicity... well... that put an end to that reaaaal quick.

hopefully we can get back on track tho, and time will finally wash away this horrible stain on humanity/society

[Tallison]

30. Before attitudes go extinct, they go undercover

and eventually die out degree by degree, generation by generation. Whenever I get frustrated at the glacial pace of social progress, I consider how far we've come. And it's been a long way, and will be a long way yet.

[seabeyond]

6. this is a good reflection lesson. since bushco racism has thrived. and sexism

having obama will be good for all of us, racist, bigot and those that just dont think it through. unfortunately, sexism thriving is only exasperated with pilan. i dont care we will lose some votes. to knowingly lose some votes for idiotic racism and win.... will be a wonderful reflection on this society. it CAN be very positive. it is what we do with it. what we create with it.

[Clio the Leo]

14. Nah, I'm proud that we've gotten this far......

..... I thought in my life time (I'm 35) we might have an Af. Am. president, but I certainly didn't think it would be any time soon. We still have work to go, but this has just blown me away. I am white and have dated black men for as long as I"ve been dating. I was told as a teenager that I should "think of the children, think how they'll be treated." Of course the very people who were saying that were the ones who were the problem, but whatever. But Barack Obama is the physical embodiement that those people were wrong. He is my justification. Not only are those children now generally accepted, but one of them is about to be elected President of the United States. If it weren't for all the bruises on my arms from where I've pinched myself, I'd think it was a dream.

Oh, but it IS a dream isn't it..........



... a dream come true.

[iamthebandfanman]

15. alot of those 'democrats' here

i believe they are called dixiecrats.

if only they woulda stayed outa the party when they walked out on truman

i run into them ALL the time here in KY.

people voting against their party and their own self interests(in many cases they still believe in the party platform and what it stands for)...all of them even speak badly of bush and the republicans...

but golly for some reason they just cant vote for obama...

theres only one reason i can think of...

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

16. I lost several white friends during the primaries who showed their true colors.

I was a "cool" black person who they could talk to about 'why blacks do this' and 'why blacks do that' and though I would be annoyed, I entertained their questions and also reminded them that the black community is not a monolith.

I have been devastated by so-called friends who convinced me that they weren't racists but that they just didn't like Obama. They could not give me any reason why but when pressed, it was about race.

I also noticed that certain 'reasons' given were used as smokescreen to disguise the true explanation for why they didn't like Obama. For example, Rev. Wright and Muslim rumors. No matter how many facts were brought to the table, those facts were ignored. They accused Obama of being anti-Israel and homophobic; they accused him of being sexist and himself racist. When all of these fallacies were debunked and there were no others left to debate, his race was the only excuse remaining.

It is very, very sad indeed.

[knowledgeispwr]

25. "There is just something about Obama..."

I wish people would just own-up to their prejudice and stop dancing around it. I also wish people who wish to hurt themselves wouldn't hurt the rest of us by voting for McCains, Palins, Bushes and Cheneys.

They should cut off their own noses and leave ours alone.

[NorthernSpy]

56. "I just don't think he's Qwaaaaaaaaaaaalified..."

:eyes:


But Sarah Palin is "qualified"? Even though Princess has to be protected from the media, lest she show the world what an airhead she is?


:eyes:


There will always be lame-os like that. But we don't have to focus on them.

[progressiveforever]

18. Maybe this election will break a lot of racism...

My father- who had earlier said that he would not vote- will now vote because he likes Biden. Dad's too stubborn to admit he likes Obama--he's 75 and just can't admit past attitudes are dead.

[PresidentObama]

21. I hope so, I really do.

[progressiveforever]

36. I hear you...and your screen name is great.......

that was my initial thought....but I trust you are VERY happy with the nominee! I was so into Kerry '04, but Obama "08 has surpassed my enthusiasm!

[PresidentObama]

37. I'm thrilled. It hasn't surpassed the enthusiasm for me, but it's gotten close.

What a year, huh?

He's going to make a damn great President, my friend.

And he'll need Senator Kerry where he is, leading in the Senate.

[progressiveforever]

40. If ever a man deserved to be presiedent, it was John Kerry

John Kerry will likely never be president, but Barack Obama will fulfill Kerry's dreams.

[PresidentObama]

43. It was never about being President for John, it was about providing real leadership to the country.

He knew the nation was in trouble in 2004. And he answered the call to service.

I'm sure he'll be absolutely thrilled to work with a Democratic majority, Vice President Joe Biden (who is one of his friends) and President Barack Obama (Who Kerry gave his big break, and an important primary endorsement to)

[progressiveforever]

45. You are right- I hope history remembers Kerry as he should be remembered

John Kerry- a true hero. A man who dared to challenge an American president in time of war. How blessed Massachusetts is to call Kerry and Kennedy their senators. In fact, as an Ohioan ( at least we have Sherrod Brown), I'm jealous! :-)

[PresidentObama]

46. I wish I had Kerry in my state. We have Kit Bond (YUCK!) and Claire McCaskill, who I'm not a big fan

of. I LOVE her support of Barack. But other than that, no thanks Claire.

[Awsi Dooger]

27. I hear racist comments every day in Nevada sportsbooks

Not from Democrats. These guys are primarily from the south but they come here to bet on sports. They double take in disbelief when I tell them I'm a Democrat. Some of them act like they've never met a Democrat.

The descriptions of Obama are unbelievable. Not anything I want to repeat.

Many of them say if Obama is elected they'll race to the gun stores to stock up.

I've made some comments here that Obama is disadvantaged by race and can't win easily or pull out some of the unlikely states, no matter what the state polls suggest. It's all based on my daily experience.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

42. And this is why Obama cannot appear too angry or impassioned. No matter what we say

or how frustrated we get, we must understand that he cannot show too much emotion or anger.

I was shocked in my Democratic party during the primaries and even now. The hidden racism totally came to the surface and kicked me squarely in my stomach.

Obama cannot hit back in the same way that other politicians can. He simply cannot run dirty, nasty, lie-and -filth-ridden ads like McSame is doing. Hillary and Bill knew this fact. McSame and the Repugs know this. They know about race-baiting because they've been doing it now for over 30 years.

They run these ads and continue to lie over and over again, hoping to get Obama angry and make him show anger and passion so that the M$M and white Americans get scared of the 'angry black man.'

I wish people would stop complaining about Obama 'not showing emotion' or 'not demonstrating passion.' HE CANNOT DO THAT!!

[Cha]

28. I still think Obama will win this thing but it sickens me

the amount of racism oozing through the Democratic Party.

I just got back from a Mohawk Valley for Obama meeting here in New York(first one!) and I found out the former Democractic Mayor of my town told someone at the meeting that there's no way he could go in there and vote for a (insert derogatory stupid ass racsist word). Good to know.

On the up side I got to talk to a couple from Kenya who have lived in a neighboring town for about 11 years, been in the country 20 and are citizens. Edward knew Obama Senior and talked very emotionally about how brilliant he was..it was like "Dreams From Father" were coming alive right next to me! I had a great conversation with his wife Monica about my perspective in politics and I asked her about Kenya.

It felt really good to be around so many Obama supporters in one place with all our Obama shirts on. There were a couple of college kids who were very passionate at the local Jr College, where the administration is strictly republican, who were talking about trying to have a Debate night party Friday night so the kids could watch it all together.

They were all lamenting "racism" too but much to mcpalin's chagrin..it's not gonna carry their day.

[EC]

31. So, he'll cut off his nose to spite his face?

Obama merely represents the Democratic platform, the color of his skin doesn't change that...so is your friend jealous that a black man made it as far as he did or should he have lived up to the sterotype and be a lazy nothing in your friend's mind?


What I said to my racist bil was "in the end, do you want to move forward or go backward? It's time to hand the country over to the next generation and move forward..."

[PresidentObama]

34. Well said, my friend n/t

[Peacetrain]

33. At least open racism is something you can confront!

Your friend is an idiot and you can confront him on it.. It is the people who are so sorry that we will lose because of the "other" guys racism, ~ahem~.. or suggest we would have an easier time winning if we had gone with a "white" canidate.

That almost puts me over the edge. As if we would move to another canidate just because of race. Ay yii yii

That is why, when we win this, whether 20 points or 2, I am going to party hearty. For the truth is, Obama has more support among women than Gore or Kerry, and even Clinton.. and the democratic party has not had the white vote majority since Carter, and even then I am not sure.

It is good to be us, and not them, with their hearts of stone. Hang in there Kerry, don't let the sob's get you down!

[PresidentObama]

41. And most PUMAs are racists. Big fat racists.

[spanone]

44. we're still evolving.you weren't around when they were beating people in the streets for being black

...we've come a looooooong way, but we still have a long way to go

[patomime]

47. It is sad, sad, sad....

that racism still exists today. I'm sorry for you, your friend and our party.

We must do what we can, unfortunately -- some peoples minds will never change.

I hope the best for you, thanks for posting this.

[qwlauren35]

49. I know it hurt.

But it's a good wake up call, and I think you needed to hear it.

Bit by bit, I think today's generation is awakening to the fact that racism is a real phenomenon in our society, and not just a part of our past.

And being gay doesn't guarantee that someone is progressive. Remember, being gay isn't a choice! But being racist is. So, racism is what he chooses, and it may secretly make him feel better to think that someone gets sh*t upon worse than he does.

Having gender, race or orientation in common with someone is absolutely no guarantee of similar beliefs, values or interests. At best, similar experiences, but people even differ in how they handle those experiences. Being discriminated against causes you to feel empathy for others who experience it. Being discriminated against probably pisses your friend off, and makes him want to find someone lower on the totem pole.

Same experience, different response. Welcome to the real world.

[bluecatz]

50. I think the media is exaggerating charges of racism against Democrats

The Democratic Party is the party of equality, of tolerance and support for minorities and majorities alike. If racism were a big problem, Obama would be trailing McCain. But he's up at the moment.

[PresidentObama]

51. The progressive wing of the Democratic party is the party of equality and tolerance.

I'm sorry, but you're naive if you don't recognize the racism in our country and yes in our own party.

Barack Obama is ahead, and will win, because he's the better candidate. But some voters, whether they admit it or not, won't vote for him because of his race.

[Lilyeye]

55. Kerry2008 is right

Not everybody in the democratic party is like that. I've see it with my own two eyes. Was kinda surprised and disgusted by it? yes....but also still proud of those who who did carry on those values and ideas that lead Obama to where he is now? Oh yeah!

[Lilyeye]

53. It really is a terrible thing to witness

I am really sorry that you had to find out that despicable truth about your friend. I know that they're a lot of people that share your story. I am 21 years old and I am very aware that racism still exist in this country. However, the primaries and the current election has really opened my eyes even more as to how much more we have to go. I think people tend to think racism isn't such a big deal anymore because it's not as blatant or overt like it was. I also think more people my age have realized this as well. There was a article in the Washington Post some months back about college students being shocked at the amount of racism still in this country. Some of them have openly supported Obama...only to be insulted and treated horribly by their families or friends because of it.

I've even seen some young people make racist slurs against Obama because of the garbage they have been indoctrinated with. I've actually heard someone say that they're few white racist these days as oppose to the many black racist we have today. Of course he was repeating the garbage he heard from his Bill'O, Hannity and Rush loving parents. Of course I told him that what he said was absurd because there was no possible way you can assume which group is more racist than another. That was one of the saddest things for me to see along with seeing people that I liked be just as intolerant, prejudice, and racist as some republicans. I thought our party was better than that...not perfect or great of course...but at least better than that.

Particularly, I knew two people that were Hillary supporters and they have absolutely refused to listen to anything Hillary has to say about Obama being the better candidate. Instead they say Obama is a radical Muslim, who spend 20 years in a racist church. I won't even go into some of the nasty names they called Michelle. Then they say they adore Palin and that she was a brilliant move by McCain. If you ask them about her polices or experience...they say "well she is more experience than Hussian Obama." I called them out on their bullshit about accusing Obama of being a racist, while being racist themselves.

After a while you get sick of fighting and being around people like that. So I have also cut them out of my life as well. It's really no love lost since they weren't best friends anyway. Sadly in some cases people have had wedges driven between them and their families. I know that racism will probably never die, but I do hope and pray that Obama presidency will open people's hearts and minds about people that they consider different from them. We also can still celebrate the progress we have made and the people who have opened up their hearts and minds.

[mzmolly]

54. I've not run into this,

thankfully.

[Zavulon]

57. I've run into one Democrat who has been racist about Obama.

He said "Call him a community organizer, you're racist. Call him thin, you're a racist. Call him articulate, you're a racist. Just wait until he can't get something he wants passed through Congress, and that'll be racism too."

I thought me might have just been buying the Republican BS until he said this: "It isn't worth having a black in office if we're in for eight years of the race card, and that's why this country is doomed if he wins."

This from a DEMOCRAT. Who, by the way, says he'll vote for Nader because we're "just not ready."

I asked him if he thought we were doomed if McCain won, and he actually said that while it "may suck," at least there will be "some semblance of racial harmony." :wtf:

The only time I've ever heard or seen anything that stupid was on some newspaper website - I think it was USA Today - when a commenter on some taxation article said that taxes should be raised "so that the government pays its fair share of taxes."