Who are the Democratic bigots?

[Onlooker]

Let's face it, there are some Americans who believe a black person or woman can't win the presidency. There are some who probably believe it would not be good for the country if such a person won. Who are these Democrats? My guess is they are mostly moderate and conservative ones. While ultimately any Democratic nominee will be able to count on the liberals to support them in the general election, in order for Obama or Clinton to win the nomination, they must appeal to those who are nervous about their race or gender. As a result, they are more focused on reaching moderates than liberals.

Edwards, as a white male, has the luxury of forsaking his actual voting record (which is no better than Obama's and hardly better than Hillary's) and reaching out to the liberals, knowing full well that many of the others will naturally gravitate towards him. In effect, Edwards is benefiting from institutionalized racism and sexism. That doesn't make him bad. It makes him smart. But, we should also keep in mind how our nation's prejudices are influencing the election and attempting to preserve the shameful 230-year-old legacy of white male rule. What's sad is that many liberals don't seem to understand the need for affirmative action in this primary season.

Go Obama! Go Clinton!

[Renew Deal]

1. What does "affirmative action in the primary season" mean?

This is milder than your last rant. I just don't get it. Obama is black. That's obvious. Did you know Obama is the only black senator? Did you know that Obama got elected as a senator in the US with his name and race plainly obvious? If he can be elected senator, he can be elected president.

[bigscott]

2. i agree with most of your post

but BHO getting elected as a Senator in a very blue state is easier than getting elected President in a very polarized country

[Czolgosz]

3. Who are the Democratic bigots? Obama! Oh, were we not supposed to consider Donnie McClurkin?

[Onlooker]

4. You must be joking

He was obviously wrong by including Donnie McClurkin but that no more reflects on his whole view about gays than Hillary being married to the man who implemented Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell or Edwards refusing to be a cosponsor of gay hate crimes and civil rights legislation when he was a senator.

[FredScuttle]

6. Yeah because each of the others you named PURPOSEFULLY hired a bigot to headline their event

and gave said bigot a microphone and a stage to spew homophobic filth to a receptive audience of like-minded bigots. Er, wait a minute...

What's more reflective on Saint Obama's "whole view" on civil rights for the LGBT community? His lofty words or his action in welcoming an "ex-gay" clown to MC his campaign event in S.C. just to win some religious bigots' votes?

[Czolgosz]

7. If Hillary's campaign invited participation from an "ex-African American" who claimed to be "cured"

by bleaching his skin white and straightening his hair, you wouldn't question who was the biggest bigot.

Maybe you want to look at your own views if you don't understand this.

[Onlooker]

10. Why is embracing a homophobic black gospel singer ...

... any different than embracing the homophobic Catholic church?

How should the candidates handle religious Catholics in their campaigns, or is your concern limited only to specific religions?

Like I said, I think Obama was wrong on this, but I don't see it as many more serious than mistakes that Edwards or Clinton have made.

[Sparkly]

5. I no longer think bigotry is a liberal/moderate thing...

I think it's insidious, pervasive, and at least for sexism, widely acceptable. I have seen the most unthinking rightwing parroting here from supposedly liberal people. It's been a real eye-opener.

I think people who self-identify as liberals (if only because they're anti-war, assuming anybody here is pro-war) are fully capable of repeating old assumptions and memes with the apparent belief that they're sharp, original and insightful bits of critical thinking.

[sniffa]

8. one was banned from here last night

[youthere]

9. You seem to be suggesting anyone who doesn't support Obama or Clinton is bigoted.

Thank you for posting that. Now I can safely ignore you knowing you have nothing of substance to say.

[Andy823]

11. I am with you

This "crap" that anyone who isn't for Obama, or Clinton is a racist, bigot, or sexist, is getting so lame! Can't they accept that people may not like those two because they just simply aren't what this country needs right now? That maybe they won't vote for them because they feel that they are in the pockets of "corporate" America? Or that they just don't have good plans to make the changes we need in this country?

Nobody should vote, or not vote, simply because of a persons race or gender. It is the "issues" we need to be looking at, and getting someone in who will address those issues!

[Onlooker]

12. That's not what I said at all

I said that there are bigots in the ranks of moderates and conservative Democrats, and to some degree Obama and Clinton have to address their concerns. They have no choice if they want to win. Edwards doesn't have that obstacle.

[IsItJustMe]

14. I think that was the gist of the OP. Sounds like dribble convoluted thinking at best.

[Zorra]

13. You set up a transparent straw man argument right from the beginning.

Believing that a black person or a woman cannot win the Presidency in a nation that is largely comprised of conservative bigots does not make somebody a bigot.

[Onlooker]

15. But it makes them part of the problem n/t

[Zorra]

17. This may or may not be true. But it does not make them bigots. n/t

[midlife_mo_Jo]

16. How does that make Edwards smart?

Being smart is using your brain to affect the outcome of the race. How is Edwards being white doing that?

Edwards can't change the color of his skin anymore than Obama can change his, or Hillary can change her gender. He just is who he is.

And I see no need for affirmative action in this primary season. Edwards is my first choice. Obama is my second. (Actually, if Biden is on the ballot by the time I vote, he'd be in strong contention for my vote.)