What's all this bushwah about racists preventing an Obama victory?

[Bicoastal]

Assuming here that we're just talking about WHITE racism...

And assuming that Obama's race doesn't turn off Democratic voters, so we don't lose any blue states...

...I see an important gain to be made by his nomination--Lousiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. It's possible that at least half of these traditionally "red" states might go blue, if not more...

If blacks vote in record numbers for a Democrat in these states--and it's likely that they would if Obama was nominated--coupled by a lackluster showing by (mostly white) Republican voters when they finally choose a horse...

It looks pretty good to me. For once, the electoral college is on OUR side.

Or am I wrong on this?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. Hillary won't use that until Monday.

Yesterday she told New Hampshire that she wants to get third place there, too.


"If you give me the chance Iowa gave me last night, I truly believe I will be president of the United States of America," he told hundreds at a morning rally in Portsmouth.


Probably the first time that 3d place means victory.

[pearl]

2. The other thing to remember

Those that would not vote for Obama because of race are not going to vote democratic and wow, he's getting a whole lot of crossover independents.

[sandnsea]

3. That's how I see it

If nothing else, we make them fight for states they used to get for free, which means they won't be able to put as much money into states like Ohio and Florida.

[Countdown_3_2_1]

4. Obama won in lilly white Iowa. Racism is NOT a factor in this election.

He's going to win in NH too.

Obama has the charisma to unite a weary land.

[PATRICK]

5. Ironically

It is the JFK strategy only more real. Hold onto southern Dems and liberals and get huge portions of the black population to swing states- OR simply tie up GOP money and effort in trying to hold on to red territory. In single states, individual races are still tough because of racism. When times are bad like Chicago electing mayor Washington, racism is set aside or its influence divided and rejected.

On the national strategy however, the entire region at once becomes contested as it was back then and national influence runs right over the local power of racism so much that people do not associate the eloquent voice with any close threat. The power of a black candidate is magnified in a national election.

You are not wrong. Obviously those fighting any Dem or a Dem wanting another candidate will look for any imperfection, namely that some racism will be involved(beyond its subtle objections to the common planks of the party anyway). Say Edwards on that same national psychology surface transcends the racist bigotry.
One could argue that the black voters immense activation more than counters any loss among the white population, already lacking any higher theme or leading GOP voice to hide behind.

You can argue, you can speculate on what ifs since only one will be put to the test(except that primaries will help somewhat), but it seems to me there is no crucial disadvantage here- nothing in fact to match Kerry's lack of appeal down South. Which lack led him to avoid hotly contesting areas and giving the GOP more leisure in other areas. Edwards and Obama will by nature hotly contest that region. I don't see how you can argue against either one in a major fashion on that.

Then there is simply using the fear and the wedges of the GOP against ourselves because our candidates are too good and close to do anything else except to use the dirty GOP sword. The real arguments are about agenda, leadership and campaign style, etc. Too too many revert to the evil that the GOP do. Those are constants. The decisive factors don't have to be seen in their terms with the choices we currently have, except as they will be fought tooth and nail.

[NWHarkness]

6. A Minor Correction

Maryland is a very blue state,

[Bicoastal]

7. Early Morning bump.

...wanted afternooners to see it, since no one's called me out just yet...