What would happen if Blacks sat out the 08 election ?

[jaysunb]

Let's say about half the 15 million registered voters....you know, start remembering Florida 2000, or Katrina, or Darfur, or maybe take another look at the Clinton's.

Hmmmm, it doesn't take much to get a consensus around the hood. Little radio here and there,a popular Minister w/ a mega congregation weighs in, a couple popular comedians and actors verifying what we think we heard.

And, hey ! Democrats only come around for the votes, then tell us to "be cool" once they achieve their goals. What difference does it make "who's" in the WHITE House.

Keep it up folks. Sometimes that chick across the tracks won't put out.

:evilfrown:

[rodeodance]

1. maybe the Fronts would also?

[ronnykmarshall]

27. I take offense to the term "backs"

"Rear ends" is much for proper!

[skipos]

2. It is hard to do anything without your BACK! nt

[KittyWampus]

8. I got your back!

[origin1286]

3. Our education system at work eom

[smalll]

12. I blame "the vidya games" myself. When kids don't read, this is what happens. /nt

[jaysunb]

33. FYI

I'm 65 years old and have never played a video game.

[uppityperson]

4. If the Backs sat out, the Fronts would get to chose.

[zabet]

19. What about the Sides??

What? Are the Sides the
John Edwards of this campaign?
;)

[here_is_to_hope]

95. No taking sides! n/t

[thunder rising]

5. Thanks for the concern. It will work out, I'm sure.

[baldguy]

6. Halfbacks or fullbacks?

Quarterbacks maybe?

[Faygo Kid]

9. My question exactly.

Although I only have a large bald spot, and still have hair (unlike my baby brother. Hah! I love it.)

[DemocratSinceBirth]

7. Maybe The Shoulders Would Win

Who knows?

[2rth2pwr]

10. delete.

[matcom]

11. FRONTS ARE RACISTS!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

14. I Got Your Back, Errrrrrrrrrrr, Front

~

[matcom]

17. BACKS ARE ANTI-GAY!!

:grr:

[emilyg]

13. I'll pat your BACK.

[jackson_dem]

15. Dems have won the white vote only once since 1964 (Clinton in 96')

If your scenario happens we are in big trouble. In 2004 Kerry lost the white vote by 17 points. We won't lose that badly among whites this time but we will probably lose the white vote and it will be difficult to make up the gap with Latinos and Asians alone (only 10% of voters in 2006).

[LostinVA]

16. WTF???

[goldcanyonaz]

18. You pat my back, and I'll pat yours?

[jaysunb]

34. You disappoint me....

N/t

[DemocratSinceBirth]

20. Baby Got Back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41APzy5kqBU

[goldcanyonaz]

21. ding ding ding!!!

:rofl:

[jaysunb]

22. Ah,yes..lets all have a good laugh at that one.

I'm afraid there'll be lots of tears if it happens. :evilfrown:

[DemocratSinceBirth]

23. Why Can't We Be Friends

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DmYLrxR0Y8

[goldcanyonaz]

25. No way is this black woman gonna sit out ANY election. My voice will be heard!

[jaysunb]

28. Good

I spent the majority of my life helping you get that right. Please exercise w/ caution.

[oasis]

52. Pres. Johnson helped too.

:hide:

[jaysunb]

56. He sho did...

and for that I'm very grateful.

:rofl:

[ronnykmarshall]

31. Thank you!

:yourock:

[antiimperialist]

24. Is this a threat? blackmail?

You appear to be saying "vote for Obama or else...the party is going down with him..."

[jaysunb]

32. I simply ask a question

As you can see from the posters on the thread that my community will continue to be taken for granted.

This is serious business for 35 million Americans.

It's not an either or, it's about respect.

[fortyfeetunder]

86. I put in recommend #5

K&R

[jaysunb]

93. THANK YOU

what took you so long...:rofl:

[no name no slogan]

36. more like "backmail"

Tip your waiters/waitresses! I'll be here all week! Try the veal!

[ronnykmarshall]

26. Not only an insult to backs ..

But saying young chickens are frigid!

[Yael]

29. What an ignorant question

[KingFlorez]

30. That would never happen

There is too much at stake, everyone, regardless of race knows what a dangerous move it would be to sit this election out. That would allow a Republican to take control again and no one can afford for that to happen.

[smalll]

35. See you fixed your headline. Good. Now go ahead and fix the rest of your post: some tips:

That first sentence is really awkward. Also, why do you think the Clintons should take an apostrophe-s there?

No need to capitalize minister. There is no need for you to abbreviate with a; you're not texting on your cellphone.

Get your neologisms right! It's a "megachurch" not a "mega congragation."

You also have spacing issues, but I won't point them out, that would be a little picky.

On edit: we all make mistakes, and the beauty of edit is that we can all correct them! (I misread w/a at first.)

[jaysunb]

37. See my reply to your earlier bullshit

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

38. For members of the black community to voluntarily...

...disenfranchise themselves, in swing states at least, it would simply save GOP operatives from having to go to the trouble of disenfranchising them.

As I look over some of the responses your getting to this thread I'm reminded of grade school -- what a bunch of nimrods.

[jaysunb]

39. It won't be seen as such.

People get pissed when they feel slighted. I'm already hearing the murmurs. I agree that it would be unwise, but by the same token, over half of all Americans don't vote for whatever reason & you never hear that word, " disenfranchisement. " But if Blacks don't continue to vote as a block for Democrats suddenly we're only hurting ourselves.

There are no easy answers other that the race baiting has to stop...and fast. Rove & Co must be busting a gut over this. :evilfrown:

[goldcanyonaz]

42. I don't know where you live, but my community is fired up to vote in this election.

To have the first woman, or black man elected to the highest office is motivation enough for us to vote.

There is no way any of us would sit this election out.

[jaysunb]

44. I'm in California

and people here are also "fired up" about this election no matter who they're supporting...and that's a good thing.

I hope you'll slow down and try to hear what I'm saying. Many of us went to the mat for you and my grandchildren to be able to be "fired up," and hope you'll be responsible w/ that hard gained right.

As to your choice of Sen Clinton, that's all well and good, but my point was, if she and her husband continue the path they are on, many Balck people will not feel the same as they do today. When Joyner, Harvey, Madison et al start articulating these intended or unintended slurs there will be a reaction, and then it won't be a rush to the polls to vote for your preferred candidate or anyone else.

Then, we all lose.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

46. Your concerns are more than justified...

...unfortunately the people who need to listen are not the ones who will, and your quite right, there are no easy answers.

Best to you, and I'm sorry for some of the infantile responses your thread has received, they only serve as further validation of your concerns.

[jaysunb]

49. Thank you

I certainly appreciate your words. :hi:

[goclark]

96. Where is that James Carville and his bedmate?

Seems like these little dirty tricks are coming right out of the
Rove playbook ~ huum.

I am disappointed in the Clintons.

I am African American and it surprises me when Whites tell me what I must or must not think would be a Racist comment.

Usually, if it looks like a duck, it is a duck.

The Clintons are smart enough and understand the African American community well enough to know exactly what will offend some of us and make others mad/hurt and disappointed.

He is no longer the "African American" candidate that he claimed to be.

Both of them are showing their need for Power that is beyond the realm of understanding.

[jaysunb]

97. You "get it"

thanks

[Hippo_Tron]

104. That's hilarious but sadly so true

When Ken Blackwell was running for Governor I was very tempted to make a bumper sticker that said

"African Americans for Blackwell: I'd vote for him, but he won't let me."

[brentspeak]

40. This thread is what's called "racial flamebaiting"

Trying to stir up the pot of divisiveness, and pitting people against one another.

[jaysunb]

41. How about "reality check ? "

Now, where have I heard that one.....

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

43. A 65 year old man who's been posting here since 2002...

...with 4000 plus posts, decides he'd like to try and fracture the Democratic party by asking a question which merely intimates that maybe it's not such a good idea to ignore the black community, and just take their vote for granted? -- sounds more to me like the voice of reason.

[jaysunb]

45. Actually it's been since 2001.

n/t

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

73. I stand corrected.

:-)

[brentspeak]

47. Unless I happen to have actually met someone I debate on the Web,

I automatically take anything they claim about themself with a gigantic grain of salt. And I expect others who debate me on the Web to do likewise.

In any case, the OP hypothesizes a scenario without cause or reason: who, exactly, is "ignoring" the black community? Who, exactly, is taking their vote for granted? And exactly how is the loaded question, "What would happen if Blacks sat out the 08 election?", supposed to be answered?

What specifically prompted the OP to create this thread in the first place? Where did this come from?

[jaysunb]

48. You appear to be a smart person,

so I'm surprised that you didn't understand the rhetorical intention of my question.

I had hoped people would see what their flippant attitude toward others--especially a group democrats rely so heavily upon to win elections--could create.

I sometimes forget who I'm dealing w/ at DU. :evilfrown:

[brentspeak]

50. Thanks, but...

...you do realize that a lot of people on DU aren't exactly who they claim to be? Lots of people here -- including people you're upset with -- claim to be "Democrats", but actually aren't.

DU is not a trustworthy barometer of what the Democratic rank-and-file say and think. Many times, I read things here that just don't match up to the reality of personal conversations I have with fellow Democrats.

[jaysunb]

53. Well.....

I certainly agree that people here are not always who they claim to be, but I think ( thought) my post was a reasonable and realistic possibility.
I don't want to see our party lose or fractured by the kind of rovian tactics we all claim to hate and want to rid ourselves of.

As to being upset w/ someone, I'm not. I've been around here from the beginning and have made many many good friends--in person--and I know what to expect in any election cycle. It's just that this one hits home for me. There's too much at stake.

[brentspeak]

58. We'll all pull together

:)

[jaysunb]

60. Amen !

:thumbsup:

[martymar64]

57. I'm with you on that count

I'm white but I've lived around Black people and Latinos most of my life. I've seen how the Democrats will cater for your vote and then ignore for the next four years. I lived in LA in 1992 during the uprising and I have seen how race is still used in this country to divide us. As a working class white man, I've found I have much more in common with you than I have with a rich white man.
When I see what is going on in this country and in this election I think of the Langston Hughes poem,
A Dream Deferred

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up _like a raisin in the sun? _
Or fester like a sore-- _And then run?
_Does it stink like rotten meat?
_Or crust and sugar over-- _like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags _like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

I'm almost at the point where I'm ready to go to the Green Party.
I'd like to talk to you more about it, but it's late and I'm buzzed.
Peace

[jaysunb]

61. Thanks for reminding me

I got a "fatty" waiting. :rofl:

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

74. Questions best directed to him -- and in a civil manner...

...why weren't they?

[knowledgeispwr]

80. I can't speak for the OP...

but I can see what prompted the OP to create this thread.

There are many blacks who feel that the Clinton campaign has used loaded/coded language to attack Obama. Because of this, many feel disappointed/betrayed/confused with the Clintons and turned off by Sen. Clinton's campaign.

There is a feeling blacks are being toyed with: get them riled up about comments that are coded/loaded that many non-blacks may see as innocuous (call it "dog whistle politics"). Some blacks speak up about their feelings and they are dismissed as being overly sensitive, race-baiting , "pulling the race card." Obama's campaign gets associated with "racial politics" even if his campaign isn't the source of the accusations. The "racial politics" turns off white voters and Obama loses. Then the Clinton campaign, once secure in the nomination barring a miracle from Edwards, expects blacks to ignore the tactics used in the primaries/caucuses and come back and vote for her in November because there is no other alternative.

You see this sentiment in black political blogs and you hear this on black talk radio. Some are already saying that if Senator Clinton gets the nomination they will sit out the presidential election.

From all that, it is conceivable that if these things continue, a significant number of blacks could be less than enthusiastic to vote for Clinton if she is the eventual nominee.

That's how I'm seeing it anyway.

[sabbat hunter]

51. then 15 million registered voters

would be doing a stupid thing.

[Cha]

55. Cause hillary is the smart choice IF

you like smearin' jeerin' lyin' bullshit.

[robbedvoter]

54. They'll put to shame those who fought for their right to vote. And would miss

a chance to speak their mind. They'd set back their cause about 50 years.
One can write in a candidate in GE as well.
But this OP is one of the lowest things I saw on DU.

[jaysunb]

59. This may surprise you but

I find your comment insulting for a number of reasons, and so would many people in the Black community.
If you feel like you're already getting the short end of the stick, what's the set back ? Democrats ignore the community for the most part and Repubs could care less. So what's the set back ? Oh, maybe the Dems won't win without us, huh ?

Where will we be set back to. America will let St Louis AND Memphis drown to teach us a lesson maybe ? We'll lose all those good jobs down at the post office, our children will get an even worse education.

Help me out here...what will the consequences be ?

[Bodhi BloodWave]

83. unless i'm wrong

Wouldn't those who fought to give the right to vote to others also have fought for the right NOT to vote for somebody they did not want to vote for?

[Essene]

62. 2001 NYC Mayoral Race

Look it up, if you arent familiar.

Mark Green (white) ran against fellow democrat Fernando Ferrer (latino) for the primary. Mark Green turned out a vicious set of racist and race baiting literature, and the campaign turned nasty.

In the end, less people turned out to vote for Mark Green than turned out in the entire Democratic primary.

In fact, more people voted in the primary than voted for the winner, Mike Bloomberg.

Minorities were so disgusted and alienated, that they didnt turn out. There were also stories of perhaps tes of thousands of discarded ballots. The Democratic party in NYC has yet to recover...

[jaysunb]

63. I see him (Green) on TV occassionally and wonder

if he learned anything from that. He seems completely reasonable and I find myself in agreement w/ him more often than not, but I still wonder about him...the same way I'm feeling about the Clintons.

[AtomicKitten]

64. That's thinking like Rosa Parks

and I like it.

[jaysunb]

65. Hey Kitty

:hi:

I'm thinking O'Jays : Backstabber

They smile in your face......

:evilfrown:

[AtomicKitten]

66. hey

:hi:

[jaysunb]

67. See this mess I've gotten myself in ?

:rofl: the audacity to tell the truth. Seems I never learn.

[Jai4WKC08]

102. Oops. I think you just lost me

Any time someone claims to have a monopoly on "the truth," I turn skeptical. :(

[Didereaux]

68. it would simply mean that the average black likes the past 7 yrs, its been soooo good to them

[hayu_lol]

69. Watch me get into trouble with one group or another with this entry...

This is history happening right in front of all our eyes. For the first time in our history, we have a qualified Black and a qualified Woman running for our most prestigious job--the presidency. Either can go all the way.

I don't believe any Black could sit this one out. What a thing to tell grandchildren off in the future. This sort of thinking was probably evident in NH.

I doubt that women will sit this one out either...and for the same reasons.

Frankly, I think that its about time.

[Didereaux]

71. I agree.

[goldcanyonaz]

75. I'm both, and there is no way that I will sit this, or any election out.

Both Obama and Clinton are more than qualified to be President. I'm not going to toss this election over to the Republicans, I will have a clear conscious when the votes are counted.

[knowledgeispwr]

70. I know exactly what you're talking about

I'm sorry so many ridiculed/misunderstood/dismissed your OP.

I've read/heard the murmurs among black blogs and black radio. There are a lot of people hurt/upset/disappointed/feeling betrayed. And if they say how they feel, they are accused of "race-baiting" or "playing the race-card" with their feelings dismissed.

A depressed black vote will hurt dems all the way down the ticket.

In a more general look at things, what's going on now is a reason why I, and other blacks, often don't say anything when someone says or does something racially insensitive. Why bother if you're just going to be accused of being "overly sensitive" or "an angry black (wo)man" or "pulling the race card"? You just get tired of it all.

If anyone cares, Edwards is my top choice.

[jaysunb]

72. Thanks for your kindness

I'm well aware that you sometimes have to wade through a swamp before you can get to conversation you're trying to have...but that's life.

I had meant to be a "canary in the coal mine."

:hi:

[knowledgeispwr]

76. No need for thanks

It's funny that I stumbled upon your thread. I had just expressed a similar concern to a friend of mine by email. I await his response to see what he thinks.

People who ignore/ridicule your (and my) concern don't make the issue go away. There is an expression in Spanish that I think may fit: no hay peor ciego que el que no quiere ver. It means: "The worst blind person is the one that doesn't want to see."

:hi:

[jaysunb]

77. It's brewing...

I just got an e-mail that I know has at least 50 folks on, expressing some pretty strong feelings...<sigh>

Rove & the boys are in heaven. :evilfrown:

BTW, I could work for and enthusiastically vote for Edwards should it get there for him.

[knowledgeispwr]

78. I'm sure the sentiment is only going to grow...

the black talk radio shows will have plenty to talk about this week from some of the comments made this weekend.

Edwards is my fave, I would be quite happy with Obama and I would begrudgingly vote for Clinton. Nevertheless, I've already heard some say that they are through with Senator Clinton and that if she gets the nom, they are going to stay home come November.

[jaysunb]

81. See post #44

This kind of stuff has legs...and once it gets traction we'll be right back at the " apathy corral ." :evilfrown:

[Anouka]

79. Why is it only offensive enough for blacks to sit out?

There's a thought forming here.....


and all this is what the Clintons intended.

[jaysunb]

82. another form of voter suppression?

:shrug:

[Chovexani]

84. It's the same old song and dance

And no one ever learns from it, as the responses here clearly indicate (not that I'm at all surprised by them--I've been here as long as you have). Doesn't matter what the group is.

If we end up losing this election, look for blacks and LGBT to be blamed ad nauseum on this board. I took a leave of absence here after 2004 due to the homophobic vitriol being bounced around. The difference this time is that it's not even really into primary season yet and I feel like I need to book it ALREADY.

I feel like I have no place in this tent anymore.

[jaysunb]

85. Hey ! Good to see ya

:hi: As you know, election cycles are periods of near insanity around here. LOL ! After tonight, I may take a break myself. I'm heading out to Vegas for my candidate for the next week. I guess I'll let DU madness put me to sleep at night. LOL !

[Chovexani]

89. Godspeed and good luck

My aunt lives in Vegas and is going out door to door for her candidate. First time she's ever worked for someone's campaign, and she's a little bit older than you. :)

Be sure and hit some of those buffets. :hi:

[jaysunb]

92. The last thing i need...but

I'm already fantasying about which will be first. ROFLMAO !

[Danger Mouse]

88. You definitely have a place in MY tent, for what it's worth

I would never cast aside my gay and black brothers and sisters aside for the sake of political expediency. Equal rights for ALL. No exceptions, no compromise, no concessions.

[Chovexani]

90. Thanks. That means a lot.

:hug:

[Danger Mouse]

94. Homophobia and racism, however subtle, is still homophobia and racism.

It saddens me that even here at DU, those attitudes still exist.
I can only hope that some day we will be above all of that.
:hug:
It seems like Dems like to court gays and blacks for their votes, but throw them under the bus when it comes time to actually stand up for them.
It's frustrating...and saddening.
My little sister (10 years old), when she heard that people have a problem with gay marriage, shrugged and said, 'Why can't people marry who they love?'
Why are people so threatened by it?
Hell, a ten year old can get it, think there's some hope for this future generation then?

[fujiyama]

87. Hillary would lose

Plain and simple.

Especially against McCain who has broad support among white independents (and can possibly appeal to Hispanics as well), she will need to rely heavily on African American votes. It's crucial, especially in MI, PA, OH, FL, MO, and other swing states Hillary will need if she has any chance of winning.

Personally I don't think it has come to that point yet, but Hillary's camp has become pretty shortsighted in accusing Obama of playing the race card. The statements made about MLK Jr. and the "fairy tale" were not racist but just plain idiotic.

[jaysunb]

98. Bingo !

I hope for everybodys sake, they get the message.

[Triana]

91. My back doesn't vote. (n/t)

[Jai4WKC08]

99. Four to eight years of another Repub in the White House

I don't think any of us wants that. Least of all the Clintons.

But if women don't get behind the Democratic ticket in strength, we'll lose in that case too. Obama needs to keep that in mind.

Our party has always been a coalition of diverse interests who come together for a common good. I HOPE that all the shit being stirred, REGARDLESS of who's responsible for it, won't break our unity in the end.

[jaysunb]

100. Why is the onus on Obama ?

This is straight out of the Rove playbook...in less than a week, the waters are so muddied that some people don't remember how this started.

Too sad.

[Jai4WKC08]

101. Who said the onus is on Obama?

You seem convinced the Clintons are behind it. I don't accept that for several reasons, but for certain that it would STUPID for them to split the party. The Clintons are not stupid.

What I tried to say is that, in the end, it doesn't matter who is responsible. The Republicans will benefit, regardless.

[jaysunb]

103. Agreed

this helps no one but the republicans.

And yes I hold the Clinton camp is 100% responsible for what's going on. They are professionals that know EXACTLY what they're doing. The problem is, this has gotten out of hand and they don't know how to stop it.

[David Zephyr]

105. If Bill & Hillary don't stop the "Barack is Black" campaign, this might happen.

It' a more than fair question you posed. It's real.