Small Left Wing Conspiracy
So Geraldine Ferraro had to step down from her (honorary) post for saying Obama wouldn't be where he is today if he weren't black. While she's probably right, I also think she shouldn't have said it. (You don't have to say something just because it's true. Representative King has said Al Qaeda will view Obama's election as a victory and that's even more likely to be true, but I'm not sure if that's the best way to make that point.)
Still, I'm fascinated at all the invective she's receiving. Across the nation people are calling her a racist. Even better, they're claiming this is all part of a deep dark plan of Bill and Hillary. It's just like Hillary claiming all attacks on her man were part of a vast right wing conspiracy.
Now the real question--which side does the whole brouhaha help. My guess is it's a wash, though if it helps anyone it'd be Obama.
posted by LAGuy @ 12:54 AM
7 Comments:
Why, no. The person this helps is John McCain. You want to scare independent white voters off from voting for a black candidate? Convince them that the first time they disagree with him they'll be branded racists. You want to scare them off from voting for a woman candidate? Remind them that her last name is still Clinton, with all the historical baggage of smear campaigns and politics of personal attack still intact.
A lot of Obama supporters have noted his race as a positive thing. So that's the rule now. It's only okay to notice if you support him.
Ferraro's comment is obvious and shouldn't even have to be said. As Tom Maguire pointed out: "If Barack Obama were a smooth talking white guy with an uplifting personal biography and no discernible resume, he would be John Edwards".
Right now, the only person who can talk about his race is Barack Obama, which is a little like saying the only person who can talk about torture is John McCain.
On the other hand, the reason Hillary is in the race is because she's a woman and a former First Lady. So where does this leave the Democrats?
I'm with QueensGuy. Everything the Dems are doing right now is pushing more people to McCain.
Geraldine sounds so angry about being called a racist that she may switch parties (of course we can sort of see why, despite the trailblazer, she wasn't the greatest political candidate). Obama has been measured in his personal response but his surrogates have been over the top. (It would have been better for them to shut up and let Matt Lauer and Tim Russert carry the water on this one)
I agree that McCain benefits from this - this is not a vigorous debate on the issues but an increasingly competitive & personal (even if the candidates are not personal, their staffs certainly are). Its like Yankees-Red Sox (my politics as sports metaphor of the day)- I respect great baseball players but will proudly chant and believe that "Jeter Sucks" in the heat of the contest (and he won't be on my HOF ballot).
You get an HOF ballot? Dude, let me have a word with you about Jerry Koosman. (We'll talk Keith Hernandez after his broadcasting career ends.)
sorry to disappoint- my HOF ballot is cast only in New England Guy world (Note Pete Rose, Barry Bonds and even the Texas Con Man will get my vote subject to inclusion on the placque "also was a scumbag.")
Oh, I'm not disappointed at all. I'm more than happy to start with the less-publicized Halls. So listen, it's the start of Game Two of the Series. Tom Seaver has taken the loss in Game One, putting an enormous amount of pressure.......
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