Republicans love to focus people's hate by capitalizing on their prejudices and fears.

[JDPriestly]

If you want to lose the November 2008 election, back a candidate that will arouse people's prejudices and fears. Look at the candidate you prefer and think about this problem. How will that candidate deal with the Republican strategy of getting people to vote their prejudices and fears. Each of our candidates has a problem area -- race, gender or profession. So we all need to think about this. How will our candidate deal with the prejudice and fear against him or her? I'm just starting to think about this. I'm an Edwards supporter, but this applies to all the candidates.

[lapfog_1]

1. Actually, all three of the top candidates share the same profession

It's just that the repukes hate trial lawyers (anti-corporate).

[JDPriestly]

3. It's about exploiting the fears of voters, not about the race,

the gender or the profession. I would like some suggestions about how the candidates can, could and will deal with this predictable Republican strategy. I have been horrified at the accusations made on DU today about the alleged Clinton racism. I can't think of a person less racist than Bill Clinton. His office is in Harlem, I believe. (At least it was.) This is just nonsense. And I'm no Hillary fan. And certainly people who don't like Hillary are not misogynists. Many of us would vote for a woman, but not just any woman. (Remember Maggie Thatcher and Condi Rice -- two women who have abused their power -- proving evil is not just a male quality.)

And how many times have I heard people say, even here on DU, that they don't like Edwards because he is a trial lawyer. I really thought DUers would be beyond all that nonsense. I am really saddened.

[CoffeeCat]

2. I think the old fuddy duddy racists, misogynists

and other bigoted old codgers are yesterday's news.

People who are under 40, are not as racist as the older generation, because slowly we are becoming
a more enlightened species. I'm certainly not saying that all people over 40 are racist, sexist
and ignorant. However, racism was more prevalent years ago, and slowly each generation weeds out
this malarkey.

I believe that nominating a woman or an African American will actually catalyze new interest in
the election. People who might not have voted before--will vote. These candidates could reinvigorate
interest in politics---and significantly change "who" the electorate is.

I truly believe that racists, bigots and misogynists are becoming relics. I know these ugly beliefs
exist. However, I think as younger, more enlightened and open-minded people age--and affect voting
and other policy issues--those negative beliefs will become less important and prevalent.

I think we must rise above and nominate the best candidate.

I'd hate to think that we didn't nominate someone, as a means of validating or kow towing to bigotry.