Bush not racist, but he panders to those who are

[Thom Little]

By Cynthia Tucker
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005


Among black Americans, President Bush's approval ratings are hovering near the negatives. So it probably won't make much difference to black voters that the president's appointees at the U.S. Justice Department approved a racially charged voter ID law that was the brainchild of Georgia Republicans. Black Americans have already written off the White House.

But the machinations at Justice serve as a reminder that the president's relationship with his black constituents was strained and dysfunctional long before his administration's languid response to Hurricane Katrina sealed that estrangement once and for all. No matter that Bush himself is an unlikely bigot — no matter that he has appointed Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice to the highest positions black Americans have ever held in a presidential administration — the president has never been popular among black people.

Bush could have done more to overcome the GOP's 40-year history as the party of Barry Goldwater, who ran for president in 1964 on a states' rights platform that defended Southern segregation. Indeed, Bush made some gains among black voters, mostly through his work with conservative black ministers. Given that black voters tend to be social conservatives — supportive of the death penalty and suspicious of abortion rights, for example — you'd think that Bush would be holding his own with them.

But the president has never been willing to rein in the racists in his ranks. That's because he needs them: Their dirty work helps to ensure GOP victories. Sure, the president may not be a bigot, but if you stand on bigots' shoulders, what does that make you?




http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/tucker/index.html

[AuntiBush]

1. If you believe this, I have Swamp Land for sale, cheap.

I think he could care less about any of us, regardless of color.

[adnelson60087]

11. I agree with you about Bush not caring

about anyone of any color but Green. However, that is not the point of the article, which is addressing the latent and not so hidden racist agenda of many Bush and GOP supporters. She is criticizing Bush's not keeping those guys (his base) in check. The amazing thing to me is the talk of Condi Rice running for Prez in '08. Not a chance in hell of the GOP really going for it...especially in the south and fly over states.

[rosesaylavee]

2. *co is Racist.

"...He always chooses dividing the nation if he can plot a path to victory through the wreckage."

Great line. And, yes, if he supports racism and bigotry, he is a racist and a bigot. Period.

As for Georgian blacks needing an ID card, this looks like an oppty for the DNC to help them get them... Howard, are you paying attention here? Hope so.

[rosesaylavee]

3. Welcome to DU, Thom Little

:hi:

[rock]

4. "I'm not a racist, I just support those that are"

Racism once removed is still racism. "Do you want that hypocracy Republican-sized?"

[wolfgirl]

5. I agree with you....

In fact, I think it is even worse.

[billbuckhead]

7. Duh, It's the "Southern Strategy" and it's been around a while

Not to set off a flame war, but that's what it's called.

[pretzel4gore]

6. there's so much unmentioned in usa politics

the role of the pigmedia is the most obvious one (sure the mediawhores occassionally do the 'focus on the news' bs but it always finds the news stooge is angelic with haloes and wings)...next is the insane calisthenics of the stock market, going up when disaster, ie 'war' looms, but falling when 'peace' threatens, gaining 50 plus points on news GM chopping 30 thousand jobs! And being run by a guy who's married to top mediawhore Alan mitchel and andrea greenspan (until the coward fled the scene with bush's doom on horizon)
Race also remains a major feature not only of politics but the very managing of usa society, and its foreign policy...if usa could have fought the japs in war2 and left germany alone, it probably would have, but FORTUNATELY FOR THE NAZIPOOHS that was not possible (germany declared war on usa after usa declared war on japan)...
history, even recent history like reagan's incompetence during his last term, are tossed into memory hole, even 911 now has been consigned to 'urban legend'
living with a big lie makes everybody liars....

[madrchsod]

8. cindy has her head stuck in the sand

bush is a racist- always has been and always will be. he has bribed the black ministries to support him...cindy needs a reality check

[bemildred]

9. Bush is not a racist, but he plays one on TV. nt

[Boo Boo]

10. Duh.

Bush not religious, but he panders to those who are.
Bush not anti-gay, but he panders to those who are.
Bush not pro-life, but he panders to those who are.
And so on...

Bush doesn't give a damn, he just panders to those that do.