What's behind the 'Obama scares me to death' mindset?

[Philosoraptor]

I remember when bush jr. first started campaigning for president, I and many others stated that the little troll scared the hell out of us, yet no one could imagine why. Now we know of course.

I've heard repub callers into cspan say this very thing, they're not quite sure why, but Obama scares the hell out of them. If pressed, they'll say, 'I heard he's a Muslim', then the host will tell them he's a Christian, then they'll say, 'his middle name is Hussein', and they can't wrap their brains around it, then they'll say his last name sounds like our mortal enemy, the dead or alive Osama. This is about all they have to say about him, which ain't much.

It's what they DON'T say when they speak of their fear of him that is the most revealing.

[sandnsea]

1. I took one look at Texas

and knew exactly why the little troll scared the hell out of me.

I take one look at Illinois, and Obama's legislation there, and breath a sigh of relief.

Death penalty reform to protect the rights of the innocent vs 150 executions with barely a cursory review - there's no comparison.

What will it take for these Bush lovers anyway.

[Tim4319]

20. I did the same thing!

But, I looked at Texas' education history and knew we were in deep "doo-doo"!

[CreekDog]

2. this should cure that "fear"

[Cirque du So-What]

9. Looks like an ordinary guy riding a bicycle

I've come to expect high drama and low comedy whenever the pretzeldent mounts a bicycle - collisions, spills, scrapes - all while looking utterly ridiculous in Spandex. I realize we won't have Chucklenutz around to ridicule much longer, but it's a sacrifice I'm beyond ready to make.

[fasttense]

3. You mean they don't say that the color of his skin does not suit them?

[TexasProgresive]

13. BINGO!!!!

[BR_Parkway]

25. Apparently he's "black enough" for some things - love to see the M$M

actually call that one for what it is.

Not holding my breath

[ingac70]

4. These are the same assholes...

that said imagining Pelosi as Speaker of the House frightened them.

They are cowards and shitheads who won't go ahead and say "He scares me because he's black."

The Democrats are generally the party of and for minorities, and now we are actually being led by one. That's what really scares them.

[KudosMan]

5. And if you come..

To know HOW PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS ARE RUN and S u n k deliberately (like Hillary's) you will loose faith in Democracy.

Take a Look at this feature, it may blow you mind!!!

http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/43.html
(REAL LIFE behind the scenes drama of a 'campaign')

[woodsprite]

8. Molly Clinton sunk her own boat.

I know that Obama being black is what scares them. At least that's the way it is with my in-laws.

[no_hypocrisy]

6. Off the top of my head, I'd guess decades of racial prejudice and xenophobia.

And an unspoken fear of what would happen as far as the potential for retribution for past social injuries if "one of them" got in charge.

It's BS, but it exists in some minds.

[livvy]

7. Change...freedom. Some people like to be kept, even if it's not in their best interest.

Obama offers freedom of choice, encourages interaction with the political process, and invites people to think about others and the future of the planet. To someone who likes the "strict, all-knowing, father figure" who tells you what's best for you, is comforting, I suppose. They don't have to think, just do what they're told, and take what is given.
Just the first thought that came off the top of my head. :shrug:

[Horse with no Name]

12. obama is like Gumby

His supporters bend him every which way to suit whatever particular needs they have.
The reason that they can do that is because of his vague stances on just about every issue.
You can shape and mold him any way you see fit and then project the rest of it on an unsuspecting public.
That was the value of George Bush to the republicans.

Did it occur to ANYONE that the unsettled feelings are because of THAT?

The racist card is getting very old very quick. The more you use it...the more you dilute the REAL racism that exists in this country.
I have no problem voting for a Black man. None whatsoever. I'd vote for Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton in a heartbeat. They are NOT afraid to put their views out there...then you can like them or hate them because of that. The problem with obama is that he is too vague for many of us to feel comfortable. Being black isn't even a close second.

[cornermouse]

15. Exactly.

No policies, no meaningful experience. You're just supposed to feel good (shades of Ronald Reagan and we all know where that went for the general public).

[livvy]

26. Do some reading. You may be pleasantly surprised.

I know I was, and I have not been an active supporter during this primary season. Now that we have a candidate, it's time to do some research, so that when you meet a McSame supporter, or someone that has some concerns about Obama's policies and stands on issues, you can educate them.
We cannot let McSame win this election. The stakes are too high.

http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

[livvy]

I posted his website here. I took a couple of hours this evening...

looking at the issues. Although I am not in agreement with all of his stances, I found that I was in agreement with more than I thought I would be. (I haven't been an active supporter of either of the last two standing during the primary season, so this is really the first serious look I've taken at his website and the ideas/plans detailed there.)
The thought of McSame in charge for four years is unacceptable. I would support my left toe if I thought it could beat McSame in '08.

http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

[cornermouse]

32. I never ever look at any candidate's website

expecting to find out what their actual stance is on the issues. Websites are puff pieces that are designed to attract as many voters as possible and offend none. I look at their voting trail.

[KSCFAN]

29. How are Democrats different in this matter?

Both Political Parties want the government to be an all knowing father figure. It just depends on what topic. Republicans want one that controls morality and the Democrats want one that controls finance.

[livvy]

34. I disagree.

Democrats in general (as a species...LOL) are more liberal in ideas and much less authoritarian. Democratic economics generally benefit a larger portion of the population through social programs, etc. IMO they are much more fiscally responsible to the people that supply the funds...that would be us working stiffs.

In my original response, I was talking about the portion of the population, that is not well-informed about the issues, keep their head buried in the sand, and prefer to have someone in authority set the policies. I guess that is the way they were brought up...don't ask questions...father (or mother, or Gramma Anna) knows best, and if you don't like it, tough. "Because I said so" kind of upbringing.

[liberal N proud]

10. It demonstrates just how bigoted many Americans are

It is amazing that the "great melting pot" called America has so much trouble dealing with other cultures.

This nation has grown every step of the way with diversity yet we still have racist, sexist, bigots who will go on the attack anytime some one takes them out of their little protected shells where ever that is.

It is pretty sad.

[Horse with no Name]

17. Actually it portrays MORE how "progressives" are willing to use racism as a weapon

to pull their troops in line or risk being branded a racist.

[liberal N proud]

18. Is that like the your either with or against us meme?

or the Israel cry of antisemitism if you don't fully support them?

[Horse with no Name]

19. I've no idea since I use neither

Why don't you tell me?

[liberal N proud]

21. What would you like to hear?

You are the one analyzing things this morning.

[Rosemary2205]

11. Because Faux News says Obama is a terraist who wants to rape white wimmin

They've been bombarded for nearly 2 years with

B. Hussein

Muslim

Osama/Obama (oooops)

Flag pin

Madrassa

Muslims !! (eeek)

Ayers

Won't say "under God" in the Pledge.

Wright ( B Hussein Osama can't hardly wait to let loose all the black rapists from prison!!!!)

Knuckle bump - the official terraist howdy doo

Muslims ( faint )

Won't say the Pledge at all.

[Hubert Flottz]

14. John McFlyingspaghettimonster

Could Johnny Mcsame-ole-same-ole, really be the anti-flyingspaghettimonster, like some exalted religious personalities, may or may not, have hinted?

We need to sound all alarms, bang all gongs and leave no panic buttons unpunched in our warnings to Mr. Obama about fighting slime with some slime of a vastly superior grade.

The plain old balls-out "Gospel Truth" attack should work to combat Mr. McDitto's trash talking and mud slinging, just about like wielding kryptonite worked to weaken and defeat Superman, if Obama chooses to slap Johnny's chubby little Bush smooching jaws with it.

Rumor has it around these parts, that if you vote for McBlame or anyone else with an (R) anywhere near their name, on those Diebold's of Hell voting gizmos, a saber-toothed buttmuncher will most definitely get you !

[annabanana]

16. ignorance

but most of all beware this boy

[KharmaTrain]

22. Call It What It Is...Racism

They all remind me of Gabby Johnson:



They'll be scared about "reparations" or "lack of experience"...but not far from the surface is blatant racism. We saw it in "spades" with the Reverend Wright situation, but Senator Obama has been the target of a constant whisper campaign...via hate radio and email...that is a lot of what is being spread around. In short, they're scared of a black, ANY black...the racism gene just can't be denied.

[ColbertWatcher]

23. What's behind the GOP's fear-mindset?

FUD.

Fear, uncertainty and doubt.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appeal_to_fear#Fear.2C_uncertainty_and_doubt">Wikip*dia

Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (or FUD) is the appeal to fear in sales or marketing; in which a company disseminates negative (and vague) information on a competitor's product.

(...)

FUD is "implicit coercion" by "any kind of disinformation used as a competitive weapon."

(...)

Noam Chomsky, among others, has suggested that the appeal to fear plays a role in social oppression on a large scale. According to this belief, political institutions and the mass media use the appeal to fear to foster conformity and maintain the status quo.

[HughBeaumont]

24. Because he's BLAAAAAA-AA-AACK!!!!

And they'll look for any excuse not to vote for him, even though they KNOW he's the far superior candidate in just about every aspect, simply to avoid flat-out blurting "I hate n**gers and that's that". Fucking ridiculous. Don't you just love living in a nation that's so afraid to change?

[BlooInBloo]

30. Yup.

[uppityperson]

27. As a RW acquaintence says, color. And he is really pissed about that.

He said that is what is going to be, will they vote to have a black guy in the white house. He's confronted his friends asking them which part of Obama is black? Would they vote for the white part?

Which is odd since I'd had him down for a diehard repub.

[galaxy21]

35. Its unfair to assume every republican is a racist

one look at those west virginia 'democrats' tells us they don't have the monopoly on bigots.

[uppityperson]

36. That is true. I was just surprised that this one is mad at those who are.

Not so much surprise as to not being a racist, but being upset with those who are. That was my pleased surprise.

[LucyParsons]

28. Um, he's black

nt

[BlooInBloo]

31. It was easy for white folks to pretend not to be racist as long as a black President was just...

*HYPOTHETICAL*. Now that the reality is upon us, white folks are scrambling to find a reason - any reason - not to vote for him that hides their underlying racism.

That's why this will be a fun election to watch, come November. It's a tough call to guess who'll win.

[Dukkha]

33. Because it means an end to the "good ol' days"

When the white boys club will become a relic of the past. where they can no longer crack racist jokes in their cigar rooms while the negro butler tops off their bradys

[undeterred]

37. Racism

[dixiegrrrrl]

38. Entire issue was laid out for me today

My sweet lovely Democratic 70 something neighbor, Southern to the bone, said she was so disappointed because she wanted to vote for Hillary..
"because she's a woman"

And I thought...
great, all that fighting for women's rights got us reverse sexism...

Sweet neighbor says she will vote for Obama "if I have to" but reminded me
"he won't get many votes in The South"

ok...fine...she is at least sticking to the Dem ticket.
Nothing I can do to erase 70 years of her values.


So I come home and hear on NPR someone saying that bitter
Hillary supporters would rather vote for McCain !!!!!

Spent the rest of the day feeling....:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: