To many white voters, race still matters

[litzi]

Joe wrote:

hmmm, so race doesn't matter to the 90% of blacks that vote for Obama.

As I recall a huge majority of blacks in 2004 voted for John Kerry, who is white.

[A Bit of Logic]

Some people will cut off their noses to spite their faces. We need to look at the issues (rising gas & food prices, record foreclosures, etc.) and qualifications of a person before we elect him or her. If we had been doing that, maybe we wouldn't have a C student running the country into a recession. And, bigotry might just cause us another 4 to 8 years of the same, causing us to end up in a full depression.

I do have a preference, but my vote will go to whichever Democratic candidate comes out on top. Eating and driving have become bad habits of mine and I'd like to be able to afford them in the future.

[Thug Du Jour]

It is true wrote:

<quoted text>
This is the answer. If you pair these two together they would be the winners by a landslide, and the country would become a better place for all.

Yeah please, McCain can't keep the regions of the middle east straight, closed the case on searching for the remaining Vietnam POWS and Condi Rice can't even get foriegn negotiaters to talk to her half the time, Rumsfield has been sent to do her job throughout much of this term. She is trying to apply her experience with the Russians to Iraq and it is not working.
She is actually more intelligent than McCain and Bush put together, but she has no personality, just perfect to be the "token black" that republicans and other insecure whites feel comfortable about. Seen but NEVER HEARD!! They have her in check, Condi knows not to challenge WT people.

[Watchdog]

I've got your ten buck ready. It's sad to say but, folks in the Appalachians have always been racist, ignorant and non educated. That won't change anytime soon. By The Way, please don't include them in the south. Just include them as mountaineers. THANKS WITH A SMILE!
Many still worship in churches with poisonous snakes.

allie wrote:

Why is it that the morons in the South, after all these years, are STILL living in a vaccum? I especially like the 21 year old mother of two complaining Obama is not patriotic. Yeah, and how are YOU helping the world with your teenage pregnancies, lady? Ten bucks says she wasn't married, either.
I'm sorry, I don't care what the town's "financial advisor" says, the people there ARE ignorant. Yet another election will be dominated by ignoramuses. People really need to be given IQ tests before they are allowed to vote. And have children.

[Tiger W]

Can most of agree that either guy will be an improvement over the current embarrassment? If only McCain wasn't so blind about the futility of Iraq...

[David J]

"I believe that he's a Muslim," said Susan Horton, 56 and white. She leaves her living room whenever Obama comes on the television. "I think that if he gets into office, there's going to be another bombing."

"He's not patriotic," said Brandy Trulock, a 21-year-old mother of two. "If you can't salute the American flag, I don't think you should be allowed to run for president."

Both very ignorant comments. In 1960, after winning a gold medal for his country, Cassius Clay (later, of course, to become Muhammad Ali), was refused service in a Louisville restaurant. Looks like they haven't come very far since.

[Les]

Rex Huppke wrote:

This is Rex Huppke, the Tribune reporter who wrote the story. I'll be checking in on the comment board throughout the day, and I'll attempt to answer some of the questions that come up.
Several people have commented about the fact that a large majority of black voters support Obama, saying they're as racist as anyone for voting for a black candidate. I'm not sure you can draw a direct comparison. We're talking about white voters who will not vote for a black candidate solely because of his race. But these black voters who support Obama aren't saying they won't vote for the white candidate. Maybe many are supporting Obama because he's black, but, as evidenced by every previous presidential election, black voters are more than willing to vote for a white man. Just ask Bill Clinton.
That said, I do understand the assertion, and some of the people I spoke to in Munfordville did raise that same issue. The focus of this story, however, was to give an honest look at the demographic that television pundits have been referring to as "poor, uneducated, white rural voters." I think we did that, much in the same way we reported on the black community's initial feelings that Obama was not "black enough."

Thank you, thank you for making that clear.

Blacks have always voted for whites; especially for President. There has never been any other choice until now. As soon as a black person who have the same dreams as a white person to run for President he is labeled and called all kinds of names. It is really sad in these times people still can't get past their slave mentality. I would say, some of you were just waiting for a subject like this so you could really let go and pounce on it! Most of you agree with the people of Munfordville, Ky. So, can you honestly say you're not a racist!?

I’d rather have Obama as president then to continue to have Bush or anyone like him.

All you people who consider yourselves middle class well, I got news for you; if you’re not rich than your poor, thanks to the Bush administration.

[Fed Up]

Joe wrote:

hmmm, so race doesn't matter to the 90% of blacks that vote for Obama.

The flaw to this argument that many white have expressed is that racism implies that black voters would never vote for any white candidate, though it can be reasonably inferred that had Clinton run against Edwards, she would pull in at least 60% of the black vote.

Lastly, I do find it troubling about the constant attempt by many whites to align Obama, a man completely raised by his white family, with the views of Wright and Farrakhan. This is the greatest example of using racial rhetoric during a debate on race.

[Larry]

I would vote for Alan Keyes, J.C. Watts, Colin Powell because of their ideas. I would not vote for anyone with Obama's ideas White or Black.

[staci]

Jimmy wrote:

Go to black neighborhoods and visit their schools, churches and playground so you can listen to what they are teaching their kids....you might be surprised. They are teaching them to hate, especially hate whites who are the root of all their problems. They are teaching their child they are victims and the only way to get ahead is by breaking the rules. Also when men like Bill Cosby speak out and ask African Americans to be better parents and role models, he is attacked and called an Uncle Tom.
The 3 biggest problems facing the black community are self inflicted..
1) Black on black crime
2) Teenage pregnancy
3) High school drop rate

Proof, sir, to back up what you're saying. My children were educated in the public school system. My oldest daughter graduated high school with 34 composite on her ACTs. She now has two bachelor degrees, a masters degree and a full scholarship to law school because she scored 169 out of a perfect 180 on the LSATs. My youngest daughter has completed her bachelor degree program and is a 4.0 student in her grad program. She is also attending grad school on an academic scholarship as she is a McNair scholar. Both of my kids associate with people who are like them. I was raised and educated on the south side in the public school system. I have advanced education, make in excess of $60,000 per year and have no illegitimate grandchildren. So, sir, looks like what you're spouting is just not entirely true.

[Tired]

Okay people lets do some math. If blacks are only 13% of the population, they can not be the only people for Obama. Have you ever thought that blacks are voting for Obama because he represents the needs of those people. It is funny to me how many people are saying "Obama is muslim, he doesn't love America," etc. All of this is devisive tactics made by people who have no desire to see change. This election has taught me that America like to complain. We don't want to allow someone who is not the status quo in office because then we would have nothing to complain about. I mean really why not vote against the same old same old. The reality is that it can't possibly be any worse that what we already have.

[Pat Hickey]

I love this post racial stuff!

I can't wait until Obama supporters start sprinkling horse manure on their Post Toasties - it's natural and it's a change from the ordinary!

Yes, You Can!

http://hickeysite.blogspot.com/2008/05/john-m...

[jac lamare]

Wait till the Hispanics make a run for it, race will matter then, in order to elect a Hispanic President. Obama will be the first BLACK President with Clinton as the first FEMALE VP. Eight years later, Hill, will be the first FEMALE President who was VP. Eight years later, Obama's wife will be the first BLACK FEMALE and the first, first lady to be President. Is everybody happy?

[Believer]

doc17 wrote:

It is a d--n shame that in the twentyfirst century that satan would beat G-d if he were portryed as black. One would think that the many important issues that divide the candidates (war, economics, environment, etc) should have a greater part in a voters decision than race, gender, or even party.

You are exactly right and John McCain needs to force the discussion there. Forget about race...what exactly does "change" mean? Each candidate should clearly identify their plans for each issue and put it on a website. Instead, they'll argue about who said what.

[Vlad]

Thug Du Jour wrote:

<quoted text>
Yeah please, McCain can't keep the regions of the middle east straight, closed the case on searching for the remaining Vietnam POWS and Condi Rice can't even get foriegn negotiaters to talk to her half the time, Rumsfield has been sent to do her job throughout much of this term. She is trying to apply her experience with the Russians to Iraq and it is not working.
She is actually more intelligent than McCain and Bush put together, but she has no personality, just perfect to be the "token black" that republicans and other insecure whites feel comfortable about. Seen but NEVER HEARD!! They have her in check, Condi knows not to challenge WT people.

This is why your community struggles. You repress those that challenge and follow those that placate. How do you feel about Bill Cosby? Does it hurt too much to hear the truth?

[GreenGreens]

Darryn wrote:

You know what? To many black voters, race is ALL that matters.
When are you going to do a devestating expose on the racism inherent in the black voter?

Mr Darryn..NO..!
I find it very hard to believe that you truely think that?.I dont believe that "whites only vote for whites",why would i assume that logic and reason are second to skin tone for whites,I DONT!
I AM BLACK MALE WHO VOTED FOR HILLARY.Obamas skin tone means ZERO..his lack of EXPERIENCE is what i SEE.I'm pretty sure i'm not alone.Mr Obama has a large percentage of the black vote because of how things are NOW.THIS COUNTRY has giving him a large YES because we are ALL TIRED of what the state of the country has been in.As for the glaring expose on the "inherent racism in the black voter",please interview me..I'd be more then happy to show you that "Blacks" can look,see,analyse and then come to a logical conclusion...In general darryn i could careless about who "causes" the problem..I'm more interested in fixing it!!..this way i dont fall into that "racism hole" like you have!!It blinds you to stop using logic.

[rickster]

Either Condi Rice or Colin Powell will be chosen as McCain's VP. When this happens barack will be defeated like Dukakis! Another landslide Victory for the GOP!

McCain in 08
Seriously, do you want the federal government being run like the chicago city council?

[Edward]

What troubles me is that the people quoted in the article seem to consider themselves 'not racist' in the same breath as stating that they won't vote for Obama *because* he's black. Not all racists burn crosses on lawns or fling the n-word left and right; that basic assumption that Obama couldn't possibly best represent their interests because of his race *is* racist. Not as racist as opposing interracial marriage or the message that troll posted above that 'black people should stick to singing and basketball' is, but racist nonetheless.
The other argument that doesn't wash is the claim that they aren't ignorant. These are people who are quoted as saying they think Obama is Muslim (completely untrue) or that Obama refuses to ever put his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance (there are photographs of him with his hand over his heart during the pledge easily found online). Basing one's opinions on bad information is ignorance, no way around it.
If Obama loses the nomination or the general election because most of the country likes McCain's ideas better than his, so be it. But it's appalling that the mere fact of his race should be a deciding factor- how can a citizen of this country actually say such a thing to the reporter of a prominent newspaper and feel no shame? It makes me wonder what country (and what decade, for that matter) I'm living in. Hearing these opinions makes me wonder if Kentucky *is* actually the Land of the Lost (where dinosaurs abound) rednecktopia it's stereotyped to be.

[Rayna]

crafty b wrote:

<quoted text>
Yes.. but they VOTED for Bill Clinton.. that's the point, idyot. These white folks WON'T vote for a black man. Period.

The truth is that this black man went to church for 20 years to listen to a man of GOD tell him about hate and how the white people are keeping him down. Barack better get some tougher skin before the general election, because his wife, the one who shares his thoughts and private time does become fair game.
Political people will continue to question her and how they raise there children, and yes where they go to church.

[Speak the truth]

Joe wrote:

hmmm, so race doesn't matter to the 90% of blacks that vote for Obama.

Couldn't have said it better... where is this angle??? Oh, I forgot, only whites can be racist...