reply posted on 13-5-2008 @ 01:16 PM by Sestias
It is my opinion that people usually vote for the candidate they think will best represent their interests. If most African Americans vote for Obama
it's not because of racism (although maybe some are racist) so much as it's because they see him as best able to represent them and the changes they
want to see in government.
That said, I don't think Hillary is a race-baiter. The comments about Obama's statements on Iraq being a "fairy tale" are critical but I fail to
see any racism in them. While I think her statements about appealing to white voters could be construed as racist (though I don't agree that the
term "middle class" refers only to whites) I think her intention was to solidify her base. There are undoubtedly some white voters who would choose
her simply because she is white, but I think it's extreme to assume that all her supporters are racist. Many people admire her, were happy with the
Clinton administration and believe she is the most qualified candidate.
Interestingly, sexism has been seldom if ever mentioned during this primary campaign, but yet it is an important component in the way Clinton is
perceived and represented. There have been literally hundreds of misogynistic remarks made about her but she apparently refuses to engage them on
that level. In fairness to Obama, I haven't noticed any such remarks coming from him.
To sum up, I think Obama is leading because he is running an effective and persuasive campaign. It's impossible to have such a campaign without its
bringing up racist issues that haven't been resolved in this country, but those issues are endemic to the U.S. at this point in time and not due to
anything Hillary Clinton says or doesn't say.
[edit on 13-5-2008 by Sestias]
