Tuesday, February 12, 2008
White Men CAN Jump
As Barack Obama had another huge win today, Andrea Mitchell, NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent, delivered one of the better lines of this primary election season when she said "white men can jump... to a black candidate". I guess that for once in my life I'm trendy. I'm a successful, upper middle class, well educated, professional white man that supports Barack Obama. Obama kicked ass again today and his support is growing among my demographic. I know that many of my readers are also in this demographic, so I'm looking for reasons why this is happening. Is it guilt? Is it education? Is it information? Any thoughts?
I do know this, Barack Obama's message will play well in a general election. As a matter of fact, he has already begun pulling out his general election positions. He is playing to a message of unity, middle class tax cuts, fiscal responsibility, a focus on education, and a fundamental belief in the American dream. The American dream sells. I'm excited to hear him move to this message sooner rather than later. From the first time I read his book "The Audacity of Hope", I suspected that he had this message to offer. I'm so excited to finally hear it spoken by one of the greatest speakers I've ever witnessed on the largest stage possible.
I also listened to McCain's speech tonight and I heard 3 clear points. First, be afraid our enemies. Second, greed is good. Third, fight at all cost (and the cost will cripple us). Mr. McCain, I don't see how this will play. The contrast of these candidates is dramatic. I'm sorry Hillary, but Obama spoke right past you tonight and America has seen its future in Barack Obama.
8 comments:
I think it is because of the reasonable and open way he dialogues with people who are not on the same page as him. I sat in awe as I watched him speak at the Call to Renewal event. I have never been this jazzed about a candidate before.
I wish we all could get over the race issue. Obama's appeal is that he doesn't say what McCain says.
Although I was more inclined toward Edwards, I'm coming aroud to Obama as well. He seems to be more in tune with what the country wants to hear right now.
Howie,
I don't think it is racial either. However it must be much more than "he doesn't say what McCain says". Neither does Hillary and neither did any of the former Dem candidates. I can't let you off that easy. What is the real difference you hear/see?
Mike,
Ah, but you see, we're Gary Hart Democrats! The pundits say that Obama has put together a coalition of Jesse Jackson and Gary Hart Democrats.
Now, to be honest, I was a Gary Hart Democrat when Gary ran. So, I guess that fits. We're both well educated white guys. The question everyone asks, concerns whether the NASCAR Dems will vote for him. An endoresement from Edwards might answer that question.
Bob,
I've never met a NASCAR Dem. I think you have to have a Bush tatoo to get into NASCAR events in the south these days.
I would assume those are blue collar union guys up north, maybe? I was pleased to see that the exit polls showed Obama has gotten a large majority of union members in the last 2 weeks. That is a great sign for things to come. I think it means that the Edwards voters are more firmly for Obama now. Maybe Mr. Edwards will speak out and make it official.
Personally I don't know where to stand on the upcoming elections, but I do know that Obama is charismatic to the max. I just like hearing the guy talk. He's a mighty fine orator, and that deep powerful voice could move me to just about anything... Of course, as one who is wary of propaganda and rhetoric, this means I have to pay extra attention to what he's saying. :-)
I spent the weekend in a red county in the middle of blue state Minnesota, at the 29th annual Eel Pout festival on Leech Lake in Cass County, and met the people who think Hillary is "divisive." One of the highlights of this supposedly family friendly fest in the middle of a family values county was the ice house decoration contest. Turns out the decorations were mostly vulgar. Call it misogyny on ice. Of course Hillary is divisive in this culture. She'd take those folks around back, wash their mouths out with soap, give 'em a whupping they wouldn't soon forget, and make 'em put in service hours at the local homeless shelter. I blogged a little about this today. And Susan Milligan over at the Boston Globe has a great (sad) article about the steep hill ANY woman would have to climb to get elected today. I pulled the lever for Hillary because I think she's ready for the job. I like Obama. I think he'd make a great president one day. And I'll vote for him when he gets the nod this time around (which I am expecting to happen) but, for real, if he was a woman - given his experience, mastery of the issues, etc. - nobody'd be taking him seriously. And that just sort of ticks me off.
http://reclaimingthefword.com
I don't think so Kelly. If Barack was a woman I'd still vote for her. I would support Hillary if she wasn't so slippery and divisive.
The biggest problem I have with Hillary is that I see no way that she can unite the nation with a husband who was IMPEACHED as president. I disagreed with his impeachment hearings, but nonetheless, it happened. He doesn't need to be back in the white house in any capacity. The country is already divided enough. It is not worth the risk to put us through that again and spend the next 4 years listenting to the divisive comments from both sides.
That isn't Hillaries fault, but it is a fact of life.
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