Comment on today's column
Among the early-morning responses to today's column was this one, from a retired 65-year old African-American man:
Recently, I had the opportunity to email a fellow that I had gone to Officer Candidate School with over 40+ years ago. I told him that the only way America could purge itself of debilitating racism is by the passing my generation and my children’s generation. In fact, my grandchildren’s generation may have to pass away before this country is finally ready for an African-American president. I’m sure, as a White Republican, he did not appreciate my remarks.
I voted for Hilary Clinton because I was, and still am, certain that White America cannot and will not vote for an African-American. In addition, I voted for Hilary because I was interested in winning, not making history. I honestly believe we could be in a deep, debilitating depression (1929 style) and White America would still vote for the party in power if the party out of power had an African-American candidate. I truly believe Obama is going to be the victim of the Bradley Effect.
This presidential contest should be a cake walk for the Democrats. But its close for one reason and one reason only . . .
Comments
Maybe it is more simple. Maybe people aren't voting for Obama simply because of his lack of experience.
I am not voting for him, but it has nothing to do with his skin color. I vote not because someone is charismatic, has the right skin color or the right gender, but because he/she is the best candidate based on the issues and his/her experience.
Maybe we sometimes look too hard for racism when there are other issues.
Posted by: Susan WNAJ | September 16, 2008 9:09 AM
Susan,
Do you really think that the most qualified candidate is the person who wants to continue the failed policies that we've had for the past 7 1/2 years?
If you're voting for McCain because of the experience issue, then you better pray for his health over the next four years- as I still don't understand how Sarah Palin is any more qualified to be president than Sheila Dixon. In no way am I implying that Sheila Dixon is qualified to be VP, I'm just pointing out the absurdity of picking a VP candidate who governs a state that has only 50,000 more residents than Baltimore.
Posted by: MCG | September 16, 2008 9:34 AM
For many people, it's NOT a race issue. I'm hesitant on Obama for many reasons, but race isn't one of them. I'm Caucasian, but if Powell had run for president, I'd have voted for him in a heartbeat - there is a man with experience and integrity. I'm still frustrated that he never ran for president - maybe we wouldn't have had Bush for another four years. If you're assuming people aren't voting for Obama simply because he's black, then YOU'RE the bigot.
Posted by: Katrina | September 21, 2008 10:25 PM
It seems early to bring out the reasons for a loss in the election.
Racism, ageism, sexism are all scary things. I am amused when I hear a politico rail against Republicans for dishonesty and then assert that the Supreme Court, by a seven to two margin, elected George Bush. I hear Democrats express concerns about John McCain's health issues (four bouts with basal cell skin cancer) but ignore Joe Biden's two brain aneurysms.
The comparisons between Barack Obama and Sarah Palin are even more amusing. He has no executive experience and is running for President, she has some executive experience and is running for what amounts to a legislative job for which Obama could convincingly argue he is more experienced for.
People will go into the booths in about six weeks and make decisions selections based not only on race, not only on experience, not only on the sex of the candidate, and not only on prognostication of future physical health. There will likely be no one characteristic that will determine our next President, but the totality of what the candidates bring to the country.
Posted by: Bruce Robinson | September 23, 2008 9:40 AM