Posted on 08/31/2008 9:47:35 AM PDT by DouglasKC
There is no card more powerful in liberal thought than the race card.
It has been played countless times in political, social and legal situations. In political situations, its use is primarily to paint opponents of liberal policy as racist, or in modern terms "anti-diversity". Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But when the card is shown to the enemies of the left, it always has to be dealt with.
Some deal with it by ignoring it. Rush Limbaugh comes to mind. Limbaugh, a nationally syndicated conservative talk show host is often branded as a racist, primarily by those who have never listened to this show. They brand him as such because he disagrees with liberal governmental policy on race. It's a big difference that often requires an objective viewpoint to ascertain.
Some deal with it by fighting. A recent example is Don Imus. Imus, another talk show host, made some comments that were done in a humorous fashion using common black vernacular. For this he was targeted and slapped with the race card. How did Imus deal with it? He tried to fight it. He apologized and tried to make it go away by insisting that, no, he wasn't a racist. This strategy of course only fed the issue and allowed it to grow larger and larger. Eventually Imus was forced to resign.
Another method used to deal with the race card is capitulation. Surrender. Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman nominee for Vice President of a major political party, resigned from the Hillary Clinton campaign in March 2008 after being accused by the Obama campaign of making racist comments. What did she say? When asked about the Obama candidacy she said "I think part of it is because he’s black. People are excited about this historic candidacy. I am too.” The Obama campaign focused on the "because he's black" statement as evidence that she was racist. For political expediency and to defuse the situation for Clinton, she resigned.
But was she wrong?
Fast forward to Thursday, August 28, 2009. It IS an historic occasion. Barak Hussein Obama gives a speech in which he accepts the nomination of the Democratic party to be the President. He is the first black candidate for President of a major political party. If he wins it will be another historic moment. He will be the first black President of the United States of America.
"History".
"Historic".
"First time".
"Look at how far we've come in this country."
All of these terms and more have been used to describe the Obama candidacy. And they're all correct. It is a historic candidacy. The Obama campaign knows this. In fact, it is the central focus of their campaign.
When Barak Obama talks about "change" what exactly is he referring to? He's a senator. Senators have run for President before. That's not change.
Are his policies change? Nothing new here. He promises what just about every Democrat politician promises.
How about change in the sense that he want to change the administration from Republican to Democratic? Again, this has been done. It's not much of a theme.
The real change he's referring to is the change of the Presidency from a whites only dominion to a dominion inhabited by those of any race. An historic change indeed. And that's where the race card comes in.
The central focus of the Obama campaign was going to be this: "You can help to make history by voting for me." The unspoken them is: "You can make up for centuries of racism by voting for me. You can make up for lynchings, the KKK and racists by voting for me."
As long as McCain ran with another white guy, the theme of "vote for me or you're probably racist" was a viable strategy. Guilt people into not voting for the black candidate no matter what his policies were. No matter how little experience he has. No matter his background. Nothing else matters but the historic opportunity to finally put a person of color into the White House.
And then came Sarah Palin. If elected, Sarah Palin will be the first female Vice-President of the United States of America. And a heartbeat away from being the most powerful woman in the world.
How does this affect the Obama campaign? It destroys it. Now you don't have to vote for the Democratic ticket to make history. The Republican ticket is also historic. You don't have to feel guilty about not voting for the black man even when you disagree with policy. You can vote for the woman and make up for centuries of oppression and discrimination. You can still make history. You can assuage your guilt.
Guilt is what the Obama campaign has been built on. Hope. Hope that we can finally elect a black man after what blacks have been through. Change. Change that a black man can be the President.
This is the real reason that that the left is enraged by the Palin pick. McCain stole THEIR opportunity. He crashed THEIR party. He took THEIR issue. How DARE he? Doesn't he know that this is history? Doesn't he know what he's doing to us?
John McCain has alway been a gambler. When you deal him the race card, you had better be certain that he's doesn't have an ace in the hole.
Great column!
I am so happy...the DEMS are in crazy mode. Attacking her qualifications...LOL. YOUTUBE has crazy videos from crazy dems. They are going after her...DEMS ARE BREAKING DOWN.
Very, very article!
If the Dems want to play identity politics, there are a lot more women in America than blacks.
And if you're a man, you can also avoid sleeping on the couch - LOL.
“DEMS ARE BREAKING DOWN.”
Minor correction. Most Dems are broken, in mind and spirit. The Dems are just revealing who and what they are about.
VEry nicely done... And right on the mark.
Them demorats have been NUKED!
Dittos ... It actually blows the race issue right out of the race. The Gov Palin pick leads to the inescapable conclusion where it is conceivable that America will have a woman President within the next ten years.
A minority Marxist is still a Marxist.
Agreed, a very,very article and good too ;-)
Spot. Spot, friggin’, on..
Sorry...very, very GOOD article. I got distracted because my husband came in and I said, “I HAVE to read this to you!!!” Which I did. He asked me to forward it to his business email so he can pass it around. (He works for the State of NY) ;)
I’m buying some Prozac stocks! lmao
Can I borrow your flux capacitor? :~) Nice column.
lol!
Seriously, great take. Blacks are what - like 15% of the population. Women are 50%+.
Palin puts the GOP in a very strong position to be the party who nominates the first woman for President and if elected, she will be the first woman President. This has to gall DEMS to no end. This is thinking very far ahead, but should she be elected President and have a minority VP, that could split the DEM stranglehold on the minority vote for the foreseeable future.
Can you say hoisted on your own petard?
I haven’t seen so many Dems this mad since Bush “Stole” the election. I think they see the writing on the wall.
I am trying to get permission from the DNC to vote for a woman without being tagged as a racist.
Wolfie Blitzer has looked like he ate sand for the past day or so.
Ace in the hole bump!
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