One of the reasons the GOP speeches from the last couple nights and likely Thursday night will look so alien to the rest of normal America is that the GOP makes snow look diverse by comparison. The GOP is talking to themselves — and not much to anybody else.
Obama’s “strategy is, ‘If I can just deliver the votes that I know exist, whether it’s in the minority community or the youth,’ or whatever the coalition is that he’s got . . . ‘then I can win this election,’ ” Davis said. “We can run our campaign the way we want to run it and not be in direct conflict with a lot of voter groups he is trying to get.”
The look in the convention hall is similar to that of a typical McCain event. This summer, for instance, 67 people showed up for one of his town hall meetings in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. One of them was black.
The lack of diversity is out of sync with the demographic changes in the United States. The Census Bureau reported last month that racial and ethnic minorities will make up a majority of the country’s population by 2042 — almost a decade earlier than what the bureau predicted just four years ago. Two-thirds of Americans are non-Hispanic whites, 12.4 percent are black and 14.8 percent are Hispanic, according to 2006 census numbers.
What has helped Republicans is that working-class whites, a bloc they rely on, are more likely to vote than other groups. “But if there is a loss this time, and it is attributed to a smaller and smaller base of white voters, there might be a rethinking” of GOP strategy, said Robert E. Lang, co-director of Virginia Tech’s Metropolitan Institute, which studies demographics and other development patterns.
As a Democrat it is pretty heartening to hear the GOP simply writing off non-white voters. This is a country that is increasingly becoming less white, day by day. If your message is targeted to one monoculture, and your noise machine largely run by that monoculture, you have no way of knowing how out of touch you are. Most Republican pols and conservatives simply have no true gauge for when they’re speaking in an exclusionary manner. It’s natural. For the Democratic party to exist it must appeal to all races – period. It’s no coincidence that most minorities in federal office are Democrats and the few times the Republicans try to dress up their monoculture policies in the guise of a minority they suffer double digit defeats like Michael Steele (Steele lost the black vote 74% to 25%).
The Republicans, even more than in the past, have decided to get their monochromatic base motivated to the exclusion of everyone else. Heck, they put the wife of a separatist on the ticket! I don’t know if that’s going to be the key to their failure this go-around (their anti-Hispanic tirades sure didn’t help in 2006), but it isn’t going to help – and in the near future it is going to be a disaster. I’m okay with that, but then… I’m a Democrat.
Billmon had a recent post on the same subject. Good points, but McCain’s handlers don’t have any shame about this issue. The Lee Atwater playbook is still in full effect. The GOP is banking on the fact that remaining undecideds will vote White, not so much out of overt racism, but from a feeling of comfort, i.e., “I know the economy sucks and I’m about to lose my house and I haven’t gotten a raise since the 1990’s, but hell, I’m gonna vote for my kind.” Something like that. Thing is, Republicans don’t have a problem with this sort of race-baiting. And no amount of shaming will ever work on a party incapable of shame (e.g., Larry Craig’s party).
http://billmon.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/3/0415/19339/783/584010
There is no shame to the Republican’s game. They are trying to draw Obama and his supporters into an ugly sexist racist battle. Obama refuses to go there and I feel that it does not serve Obama to go there either.
Can we talk about what people say without identifying their race or ethnicity. I think what many polarized people say is enough to tell you what ethnicity they are but still that is not an issue.
“Can we talk about what people say without identifying their race or ethnicity.”
Obama himself deserves a ton of credit for not playing the race-card. The Republicans just assumed he’d be another version of Jesse Jackson and hell, it was _the Clintons_ who brought it up first (Bill regarding “Jesse won in South Carolina twice,” Hillary with the “Appalachian people know who they should vote for,” i.e., not a black person).
What’s been brilliant about Obama’s game is how he’s confounded both the MSM, the Hillary campaign, and primarily the Republican strategists/smear merchants. Hell, Rove got so cross-eyed he was trying to paint him as the “country clubber” and the “gangsta thug” and the “lightweight Hilton/Spears guy” at the same time. None of the GOP race-smears have stuck (Michelle as an anti-”white” militant, etc) and this drives them up the freaking wall. Now the stage is set with Palin, and it’s basically a last attempt by McCain to bring the fundies on board. She’s going to move very few undecideds, because she’s a fringe lunatic Jews For Jesus secessionist. The election is still going to be closer than I’d like, but choosing Palin was pretty much a concession in itself. “I can’t win any new demographics over, so let’s rile up the Bible Thumpers, the racists, and the homophobes that have served the GOP so well since Reagan.”
It worked in 2004 and sort of in 2000, thanks to the SCOTUS. 2008? I really don’t think so, if only because Obama is doing really well registering newer, younger, and darker-skinned voters, and these should outweight the fundies in November. Amen.
Obama himself deserves a ton of credit for not playing the race-card.
This is a joke, right? You seem to forget his comment about not looking the same as the other faces on dollar bills. And other times Barry Hussein-O has alluded to his racial background.
Of course, Sarah Palin mentioned that her husband is part-Eskimo/Inuit, but that didn’t register in this thread’s black/white universe.
Jay Leno made a good joke tonight. Palin speaking at the GOP reminded her of Alaska looking into the audience – a sea of white. Trying to find a brown face in the audience is like playing Where’s Waldo?
This was a thoughtful analysis of racial dynamics going on at the RNC. A couple of days ago a woman came to my door stumping for McCain. When I opened the door and she saw that I was black she hesitated for a moment. I actually laughed. It seems quite codified within the party that minority voters aren’t where its at. From the bottom the sentiment seems to be that we’re a monolithic group of fools who blindly pledge our loyalty to the democratic party. At the top the sentiment is far more sinister.
I think the Republicans are underestimating what families look like in a Post-Tiger/Obama/Halle world and that not all of white America is in lockstep with them in regards to racial issues and can see through the codified racism. This isn’t to suggest they will then vote accordingly, but it is to say that the Republicans are so out of touch with what’s going on demographically they are going to have an abrupt awakening on November.
Unless of course they try to steal another election.
But what do I know? I’m just a silly community organizer!
Hi there, Oliver, loved your Huffpo stuff so I’m here.
Diversty IS the fun. The fun is our future. To respect and learn from everyone–what would a sane person have to lose?
Fear is the talisman of the Republican stiffs that we’re seeing on TV. If only they could let go of their fear and notice that, in their personal or work life, they are pally with a Liberal/Black/Gay/non-literalist Christian/recent- but-much-more-likely-longstanding-immigrant-with an-accent/everyone else who isn’t a damn stiffy.
Why are you afraid of the fun, Repubs?
daveinbcoa, Obama is far less obssssed with his own skin color than are Karl Rove and the Republican opposition team. Simple as that. For him to play the race card he’d have to say something like, “I’m being treated differently by the press because I’m black!” And I know it pains you guys to no end, but he hasn’t done that and he won’t. He and his team are simply a hell of a lot smarter than the Republican strategists of today (”ZOMG PARIS HILTON AMIRITE???”) and it’s really refreshing to see a Democratic who is not only qualified, but also 1) a savvy competitor and 2) a fighter who isn’t afraid to throw counter-punches when they come his way.
As for Palin’s husband, you forget — according to the MSM, Republicans can never do any wrong. However, Obama, as a black man, is accountable for anything and everything ever done by any black person, ever. Just ask Lee Atwater.
But thanks for playing.
err, “Democratic Candidate”
I can’t handle all that whiteness. Live is much better in living color!
Go Obama / Biden 2008!
did the black guy sit front and center? did the reverse ace rub his head?
You can TALK about diversity til the cows come home,BUT
the first Hispanic Attorney General was appointed in a Republican Administration, despite genuine Democratic opposition
the first TWO African American Secretaries of State were appointed by a Republican Administration , despite genuine , etc.
the second African American Supreme Court Justice was appointed by a Republican administration, despite STRENUOUS objection by a , etc.
the second woman Secretary of State was chosen by a Republican administration despite, etc.
a black woman Republican goes out stumping for her candidate , and the liberal laughs at her …
who’s the racist now? { in his best Edward G. Robinson from the 10 Commandments voice }
the “soft bigotry of low expectations” is never more apparent than in the Land of Oliver Willis , which is fast becoming the Phantom Zone for Unreconstructed Liberal Bigotry of every kind : “Let’s pick on the woman, guys!”
Oh, yes, the First Woman Vice – President will be elected on a Republican ticket, despite desperate opposition from, etc.
All those examples suck at their jobs, irrespective of skin colour. That’s the important thing. Also:
“the second woman Secretary of State was chosen by a Republican administration despite, etc.”
What do you think this proves? “Second comes right after first!”
Oh, and props for attempting a Superman reference, but you failed at it anyway.
I’m sorry, did I ask for your critique?
And , who are you again?
Yes, yes you did. You posted your opinions on an open blog. That suggests you’re perfectly happy to have someone reply to them.
Race is so 1970. Get the “F” over it.
Yeesh, does somebody need another history lesson regarding the “Southern Strategy”?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_strategy
Read up on it Frank. And then go out and talk to some African or Mexican-Americans. I can assure you not many of them think the Republican party is the friend of non-white in America (although I’ll grant you Cuban-Americans, for different reasons).
If Lincoln was alive today, he’d be a Democrat. Or possibly an Independent. Certainly not a contemporary Republican.
“Race is so 1970. Get the “F” over it.”
I agree. The Republican party can’t stop “dog-whistling” about it then laughing to themselves while the rest of America moves past them into the future.
If you recall nimrod, Frank had a little problem before in thinking this was his personal forum. Hopefully it won’t happen again.
the operative words in my comment were “your” and “critique”
I see this is becoming about me , again, for which I will no doubt be blamed.
Just as the Democrats could never win this Election without the black vote , so, too, the Republicans can’t win without the “white” vote … If the Republicans are as thoroughly out of touch with non – white voters as YOU say they are, why reach out to them?
I don’t notice the Democrats reaching out to fundamentalists, pro-lifers , or other social conservatives …
Want to do something bold , but educational? Read some the commentary on last night’s speech over at Pajamas Media , and then come back and tell me Palin won’t have a positive effect on the ticket…
If I were you, I’d start working on my “If only we had _________. we would have won” meme now …
This way, you can prepare a good one for November 5th
“I don’t notice the Democrats reaching out to fundamentalists, pro-lifers , or other social conservatives …”
Obama spoke at an Evangelical convention to a hostile crowd and won some of them over. They won’t vote for him, but there you have it. Kerry and Gore would never have done that.
As for PJM, well, I doubt any of the regulars there were “undecided.” They were gonna vote McCain no matter what. That’s like saying “Gee, DailyKos forums are now ready to vote Obama after his nomination speech!”
Department of Obvious.
It doesn’t really matter either way. If you win the election, you will crow about how it was your appeal to diversity.
If you lose, you will look for boogeymen like “Diebold” or the southern strategy, or quote republican strategists long dead.
Truly you guys behave like little children.
The key distinction there, Frank, is the word “appointed”. See, in the Democratic party, when we mention “First African American…”, there’s usually this word “elected” that comes after that. As in, “Barack Obama will be the first African-American elected President of the United States of America.”
oh, and once white people are a minority, can we apply for affirmative action too?
And will saying things like “I just can’t stand all the whiteness!” be (finally) considered racism and bigotry?
People are individuals, and have worth as individuals. It is a telling sign of what you leftists think is important when the only thing you see in a group of patriotic americans participating in the election process is the color of their skin.
I was referring to the spirit of, and vitality of, the comments…
Of course, any excuse not to read something that goes against The Meme will do …
I am here to learn about opposing views. One thing I learned long ago, is that that is something people on the Left never do …
You have discovered the Truth, and woebetide anyone who questions that “Truth” .
That explains all the Left’s defeats since 1968 …
That’s why it was suggested that I go to a Wiki to read up on on irrelevant strategy, that I actually witnessed as an adult …
The so-called “southern strategy’ hinged on the basic conservatism of southern voters — not their bigotry …
How do you explain Kennedy’s success in the South?
And Goldwater’s (he was “Jewish”, remember?)
You can read about it, or you can witness it — I have done both.
Jaim has apparently done neither .
“If you lose, you will look for boogeymen like “Diebold” or the southern strategy, or quote republican strategists long dead.”
Or blame the liberal media, or say the candidates weren’t conservative enough. Oh wait, that’s a conservative whine.
“The so-called “southern strategy’ hinged on the basic conservatism of southern voters — not their bigotry”
Ever heard of George Wallace?
“whites only drinking fountains were what liberty is all about”-repub platform
“If you lose, you will look for boogeymen like “Diebold” or the southern strategy”
No boogeyman here, asshole.
E-Vote Vendor Admits Decade of Flaws
George Wallace took 11% of the vote in 1968 …
The Democrats never understood why until 1972 , when Nixon cleaned McGovern’s clock in 49 — count ‘em – 49 states …
Still want to talk about a Southern Strategy — or did you mean “Lower 48″?
As I said above, Republicans have to appoint their minority picks who stand against other minorities because whenever they run them for office they get their asses handed to them.
Frank is the kind of person locked into his own “analysis” (and unable to process outside information) who will probably tell us for weeks how Democrats are going to lose. Trust me, I heard it in 2006 when he said the same thing. He was wrong then, and he’ll be wrong in the future.
Who said this:
“His presidential campaign is the Titanic. His idiot mouth has killed it. The audio of Biden’s comments are out and they don’t change a thing. What he said was racist, offensive, and not representing any of the qualities of the Democratic party or America.”
We have a friend the fields that I am sure would have a point a view about the list that Frank presented. It needs to be said though that these people were appointed and not elected. That is far far harder for a minority to do, unless of course they are a democrat.
These our house folks, but they need to consider something, like Colin Powell they too can be thrown under a bus.
Foreign policy experience, diplomatic experience, woman of color smart and talented, all these atributes, beg the question, why didn’t the McCain camp choose Condileesa Rice?
-=t=-
And yet Obama chose him for a running mate. Maybe he considered factors from his life other than those thirty idiotic seconds. Hmm.
That’s right, Oliver said these inspirational words…
“His presidential campaign is the Titanic. His idiot mouth has killed it. The audio of Biden’s comments are out and they don’t change a thing. What he said was racist, offensive, and not representing any of the qualities of the Democratic party or America.”
“I can’t handle all that whiteness. Live is much better in living color!”
Go Obama / Biden 2008!
Hey Ursula, kiss my white ass, you racist piece of shit.
And I’m wondering what you whiners are going to do when whites are a minority also and you can’t use us as a bogeyman?
Oh, please tell me.
I don’t think I’ve had a more racist poster on here than j mccann, but anyways. Hundreds of years of rich white guys having their way is not a bogeyman. It’s reality.
Is Biden still a racist Oliver?
And I’m wondering…..just what will you do, if say, perhaps…..some of these minority groups that democrats have essentially bought off for half a century, decide “hey…maybe I don’t want to pay half my income to taxes” and become conservatives?
Conservatism isn’t a racial ideology as you think it is. And many of the demographics you think you have wrapped up for an eternity are more socially conservative on average than all of us evil white people.
As people move here, assimilate, and become frustrated with oppressive taxation and big government, they’ll start voting conservative. It’s happened before. The irish for example, hated and mistreated when they moved here, voted heavily for democrats, and now most irish-americans lean conservative. Hmm….
Don’t count your chickens before the eggs have hatched. Not everyone votes out of racial loyalty, OW. And there’s nothing genetically ingrained in white guys that makes them not want to pay for universal health care.
Your own ignorance and bigotry is astonishing sometimes.
Conservatism isn’t a racial ideology as you think it is.
So there should be plenty of black, hispanic, and asian cons. Oh, wait…
Again, is Joe Biden still a racist Oliver?
Jesus Christ, shut up.
The Federal gov’t is bigger than it ever was thanks to G.W. Bush and a Republican Congress up to 2006 (even if you disregard military spending post 9/11).
What it this “conservatism” I keep hearing you chirp about jmcann? Smaller government? No. Less intrusive government, thanks to FISA and wire-taps? No.
Honestly, you mention “conservatism” like there’s a group of Republicans in Washington who actually practice it. They don’t.
Me? I want smaller government. But just as importantly, I want a government that _works well_. Hire smart people. Hire dedicated people, not ideologically motivated appointees. And do your fucking job.
I’ll admit that Conservatism has some merits as a political ideology. Question is: Who’s a true Conservative? Close as I can tell, it was Bill Clinton, who managed to make both our economy and our government work reasonably well, cut back well-fare, and made Americans optimistic about the future.
Back to your sippy-cup jmccann. You lose yet again. You keep thinking it’s 2002 or something, but it’s not. America gets the best of both worlds in Obama — competence and optimism.
The Federal gov’t is bigger than it ever was thanks to G.W. Bush and a Republican Congress up to 2006 (even if you disregard military spending post 9/11).
What it this “conservatism” I keep hearing you chirp about jmcann? Smaller government? No. Less intrusive government, thanks to FISA and wire-taps? No.
Honestly, you mention “conservatism” like there’s a group of Republicans in Washington who actually practice it. They don’t.”
Jaim…..no shit. part of the reason his approval rating is in the high 20’s. Thing is, between McCain and Obama, McCain is much more conservative that Obama is, and his selection of Palin has solidified my vote.
And OW, since your convinced that it’s a racial ideology, (WTF?????) explain to me how the major demographic changes that have ALREADY occured haven’t resulted in a Democratic stranglehold for the last several decades. This country is pretty much split 50/50 still.
Like I said, don’t count your chickens before the eggs hatch. I’m confident that in the future as many of these incoming groups assimilate, they too will vote conservative. Again, it’s not a racial ideology, and not everyone is as race-obsessed as you are.
You have you own biases and racist tendencies, and I don’t even think you see it.
“Again, is Joe Biden still a racist Oliver?”
Changey, every white person in this racist society is tainted, certainly of Biden’s (and my) age. Not sure you have the maturity to understand what I’m talking about, but one never knows.
Biden once made a supposedly innocent joke about convenience stores and Indian accents, harmless, but… This isn’t vicious, white-supremecist stuff, just patronizing, sloppy, culturally-conditioned, relatively benign racism. But as a Veep, Biden’s advantages far outweigh these lapses …as did Obama’s grandmother’s good qualities outweigh her stereotyped fears of strange black me.
I answer for Oliver in case he doesn’t want to waste his time.
I meant “strange black men.” I never met his grandmother.
I’m confident that in the future as many of these incoming groups assimilate, they too will vote conservative.
Didn’t you say the other day you thought minorities voted overwhelmingly Democratic because they wanted more free stuff? Can you even fathom how insulting that would be to a minority Democrat? What do you suppose is a better way to win votes from a demographic – demean them en masse as welfare queens, or represent their interests in your platform?
while i hope you are right. there is a large part of the county that likes or at the very least are not bothered not seing people of color at a republician convention.