"Race" Race. (Warning, debate aftermath rant ahead...)

[Emproph]

Taking all things into consideration in regard to this presidential race (including race), and assuming no "October Surprise":

~~~

After watching the VP debate and its aftermath last night, I feel like a perfectly-to-scale-microcosm of our nation was put on display, and that this is "our moment" as a nation.

We are not united. We are divided into three (technically) DISTINCT camps. One of which is not only volatile, but will decide this election based on race alone.
--
Daniel brought something up in Jennifer's "Blind Beliefs" thread, that within hours, actually happened to me (bold mine).

Originally Posted by Daniel

I am seriously concerned that the unspoken issue in this election is race. Forget about the issues. One can't deal with them when one has to deal with the elephant in the room.

It's kinda like the situation gay people of faith find themselves in. Can't talk about gay rights or being gay because of the ignorance by conservatives/fundamentalists. They aren't seeing a person, but this huge thing in their mind called homosexuality - you know- the beast with 6 legs- the one that eats children for breakfast- or some such nonsense.

I was later and innocently enough talking with my sister, and upon mention of the election she literally and unabashedly said the words out loud: "I'm not ready to have a black man as President."

I immediately -- in the most endearing way possible -- said the word "racist" out loud, which she promptly admitted to, which promptly shut me up.

She wasn't ashamed and I wasn't offended - because I 'got' it. It was just her gut reaction, and she was just admitting to it. But I saw that racist elephant in the room on a national level, not necessarily through my sister, but in a potential majority of the "undecided" voters (the one's who keep changing the polls/stats on us) -- who will go to the polls thinking they are determined to vote for Obama, but will panic at the very last moment and vote for McCain, simply because they're "not ready to have a 'black man' in the White House."
-
My "gut" feeling, is that this election will decide the fate of our nation (and possibly the world), and that these are the people who will decide this election.
-
It seems to me that neither ideological side of the political spectrum was swayed last night. Further, the political pundits themselves not only seemed to reflect this, but many were outspokenly vocal. Whether in what seemed to be a fiercefully unified panning and shredding of Palin, or what could almost be described as a euphoric state of worshipping her on the right (and I'm not even talking spin, it was effortless on both sides.), I don't think I've ever seen such a burst of "black and white" reaction to any single political event.

MSNBC's Chris Matthews murdered Palin in a ten minute diatribe immediately following the debate, and I'm tempted to say he was visibly angry. I've been watching his ironically titled show "Hardball" for years now, and even eight years of Bushotopia couldn't wipe the grin off that man's face for more than a moment or two.

I thought Maddow's insight was stellar. And I've decided that Craig Crawford -- frequent guest on the Keith Olbermann show, et al -- had indeed been drinking.

It was a feast that will last well beyond the election itself, as all that I've just alluded to has yet to appear in print form. (MSM dissects the debate, then we get to dissect the dissection.)
-
All of which seemed to be the mirror image of the many, vast, and varied "conversations" we've had with the die-hard anti-gays over the past few years.

Our nation has officially become, on all levels, a cliche'd version of that conversation - except, of course, for the "undecideds," who watch and read, but for the most part, rarely weigh in because they don't have a definitive political or even ideological position to speak of.

They make decisions (ie; vote) based on their "gut." Which means they make decisions based on avoiding fear (ie; volatile).

And we have only, and exactly one month to reach them before they walk into that polling booth to discover, to their surprise, chagrin and dismay, that they are indeed, racist.


Thoughts?

[Emproph]

Originally Posted by Emproph

It was a feast that will last well beyond the election itself, as all that I've just alluded to has yet to appear in print form. (MSM dissects the debate, then we get to dissect the dissection.)

CNN: Full transcript of Palin, Biden debate

Much more @ Pam's House Blend. Long list of links in comments section.
-------
Update, 10-4-08, MSNBC post debate transcripts:

'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' for **October 2, 2008** 11PM

'Hardball with Chris Matthews' for **October 3, 2008** 12AM

[sauu4equality]

Disclaimer: this was meant to be a commentary on the affects of Obama's race on this election. While it does do a good job of arguing this point, it ends up being a bit more of a longwinded rant against the McPalin monster and the current state of the Republican Party. If you don't believe healthcare research professionals and believe that (as Palin does) Palin was ordained by God to be the VP, then this commentary will not sway you. While you may see this as a simply political commentary, my real aim is to get you to understand the unjustified disparity (extremely un-Christian) in American health and life and how Obama, while he cannot eliminate these problems, could begin to turn things around.

In the 2004 election the GLBT community was relentlessly attacked by the Bush campaign. As a result, many GLBT Americans suffered depression following the election. African American race has become the focus of this election. With the health of AA's being the worst in the nation, this election spells more bad news. There is a clear link between political participation and empowerment through politics and health outcomes (with more empowerment leading to better health outcomes...LaVeist 1992 for those of you who know how to use PubMed). I wish Americans would start seeing the world through a more communal lense...we already have a health disparities epidemic...this could be catestrophic. Even the health of the wealthiest Americans is only 12th best in the world. This is probably because hatred affects the heart and other health outcomes more than science has been able to suggest thus far. If you are voting for McCain and you don't think it has to do with race, take an implicit personality test for racial attitudes...you'll see what I mean. While there may be some good reasons to vote for McCain (like I guess if you like the idea of being at war with at least 3 more countries he's mentioned lately (Iran, North Korea, Pakistan)), it is obvious that racial attitudes will decide this election. In terms of the economy, equal oppurtunity has never existed in this country. This is most due to delusions by Republican economists that everyone has the same chances to do well in a free market. It is interesting that there new solution to our economic woes is a Socialist one (the "bailout" efforts or nationalizing the banking industry). And just to avoid confusion, the alternative to a free market is not socialism...it is a mixed market economy that allows for a free market and helping those Americans that are disadvantaged or have hit hard times.

So, to sum up:

Pros of Obama:
-He wants to unite the US by listening to the concerns of us all
-He will help make our healthcare system a just one
-He will not jump into hopeless war situations

Pros of McCain:
-He's not black
-His running mate has attempted to produce anti-gay legislation in the past
-As seen last night, his policies will be no different than the Bush Administration

So, if you're rich, white and will never have to worry about having a child in the Armed forces or losing your job, vote McCain/ Palin in November!

[Gennee]

I am a volunteer for a grass roots organization. One thing I see is people of all races falling into the ranks of the working poor. It's happening in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Oregon, California, Ohio and other states. I have spoken face to face with organizers from these and other places.

In a country such as ours there shouldn't be the economic downturn that is happening. All this was the result of bad investment by the investment companies , banks, mortgage lenders and such who were complicit in this. I'm happy that the bailout failed. Why should we working people pay for their stupidity and greed?

What is needed is independent and grass roots organizations free of any corporate or government fund to change things in the country. In my opinion, the people who are most affected by what's happening now are going to determine the outcome of this election.

Gennee

[Gennee]

Originally Posted by Emproph

Taking all things into consideration in regard to this presidential race (including race), and assuming no "October Surprise":

~~~

After watching the VP debate and its aftermath last night, I feel like a perfectly-to-scale-microcosm of our nation was put on display, and that this is "our moment" as a nation.

We are not united. We are divided into three (technically) DISTINCT camps. One of which is not only volatile, but will decide this election based on race alone.
--
Daniel brought something up in Jennifer's "Blind Beliefs" thread, that within hours, actually happened to me (bold mine).



I was later and innocently enough talking with my sister, and upon mention of the election she literally and unabashedly said the words out loud: "I'm not ready to have a black man as President."

I immediately -- in the most endearing way possible -- said the word "racist" out loud, which she promptly admitted to, which promptly shut me up.

She wasn't ashamed and I wasn't offended - because I 'got' it. It was just her gut reaction, and she was just admitting to it. But I saw that racist elephant in the room on a national level, not necessarily through my sister, but in a potential majority of the "undecided" voters (the one's who keep changing the polls/stats on us) -- who will go to the polls thinking they are determined to vote for Obama, but will panic at the very last moment and vote for McCain, simply because they're "not ready to have a 'black man' in the White House."
-
My "gut" feeling, is that this election will decide the fate of our nation (and possibly the world), and that these are the people who will decide this election.
-
It seems to me that neither ideological side of the political spectrum was swayed last night. Further, the political pundits themselves not only seemed to reflect this, but many were outspokenly vocal. Whether in what seemed to be a fiercefully unified panning and shredding of Palin, or what could almost be described as a euphoric state of worshipping her on the right (and I'm not even talking spin, it was effortless on both sides.), I don't think I've ever seen such a burst of "black and white" reaction to any single political event.

MSNBC's Chris Matthews murdered Palin in a ten minute diatribe immediately following the debate, and I'm tempted to say he was visibly angry. I've been watching his ironically titled show "Hardball" for years now, and even eight years of Bushotopia couldn't wipe the grin off that man's face for more than a moment or two.

I thought Maddow's insight was stellar. And I've decided that Craig Crawford -- frequent guest on the Keith Olbermann show, et al -- had indeed been drinking.

It was a feast that will last well beyond the election itself, as all that I've just alluded to has yet to appear in print form. (MSM dissects the debate, then we get to dissect the dissection.)
-
All of which seemed to be the mirror image of the many, vast, and varied "conversations" we've had with the die-hard anti-gays over the past few years.

Our nation has officially become, on all levels, a cliche'd version of that conversation - except, of course, for the "undecideds," who watch and read, but for the most part, rarely weigh in because they don't have a definitive political or even ideological position to speak of.

They make decisions (ie; vote) based on their "gut." Which means they make decisions based on avoiding fear (ie; volatile).

And we have only, and exactly one month to reach them before they walk into that polling booth to discover, to their surprise, chagrin and dismay, that they are indeed, racist.


Thoughts?

If race is the factor in this election (and it is), then I question how ready is the country for change. There are many people who want to keep going the way things arebecause they don't want their little world disturbed. That's changing though. Some people have the idea that all this won't affect them but they are sadly mistaken.

Gennee