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There Will Be Dumb
"In my home state of Pennsylvania Hillary has a nearly 20 point lead," writes HE reader George Bolanis. " We were expecting an HRC win but that margin is crazy. You know the deal of the Pennsytucky factor in the central part of the state. But even in the metro areas she seems to have a comfortable lead. The exit polls on swing white voters in OH was very telling.
To which I replied, "And your in-laws are in their....what, 50s? Older? Over the past several months many fair-minded older folks have been responding to, or at least have tried to focus on, the positive, uplifting aspects of Obama and his candidacy while at the same time (and most of them will never admit to this) suppressing their gut feelings about African Americans. The Reverent Wright thing gives them license to vent those repressed feelings. That's all that's going on here.
"Yesterday's speech reminded me once again that Barack Obama is the best man to come along for the presidency in decades. He said exactly the truth of the matter in yesterday's speech -- nailed it straight and true -- and I believe in him wholeheartedly. If Hillary wins by 8% or 10% in Pennsylvania, it's nothing. But if she beats him by 20%, he's in some kind of trouble. The ugly tide has been rising in recent days. Fear, ignorance and stupidity have always been strong currents among American proles -- always been that way, always will be.
"I think Obama will probably still win North Carolina, and there's certainly no re-ordering the delegate math. And the Michigan re-vote bandwagon is all but stopped in its tracks. But the gutter-residing Hillary Clinton and the forces of the American Malignancy have managed to cast Obama as the black candidate, which is a tragedy of immense proportion.
"The America that has been routinely derided by Brits and Europeans for its stupidity and butt-ugly racism is rearing up again, and it's not just my face that is curdling with disgust. It's not healthy or productive to give yourself over to hate, but I have loathed and despised the beer-gut rank-and-filers all my life, starting with the construction workers beating up on anti-war protesters in the early '70s and this same crowd's refusal to consider the Watergate scandal as it evolved and so on down the line, and I'm feeling it again big-time.
"I'm angry at the Obama team for not stepping up sooner and putting HIllary's bullshit into its place. A friend told me this morning he feels Obama is basically Adlai Stevenson, which is kind of a damning thing to say. But the greater damnation belongs to the race-card players, for whom Hillary has been their Joan of Arc. Obama spoke more frankly and plainly yesterday than he ever has, and he has another big speech to make today and another tomorrow. But an awful lot of people don't want to know from nuthin'.
"And if the super-delegates start to get really scared and threatened by the dumb-asses turning away from Obama in the voting, all bets are off. In the words of Tracy Morgan, 'We are a racist country....the end.'"
To which Bolanis replied, "The Rev. Wright thing brings out mistrust because his words are divisive and extreme. I know many people who are sick of listening to the complaints of the Sharptons, Jacksons and Wrights, that many of the social ills of the black community are self-inflicted. Barack addresses this but his church will scare whitey."
To which I replied with a palpable sigh, "But Obama is not one of them, and has expressed himself repeatedly to this end. Does he feel obliged to make room for their views, or at least not condemn thing in a public way? Yes, just as John McCain, looking to gather as much reactionary-conservative support as possible. is obliged to make room for the rancid nutbag views of certain wackjob preachers who are standing by him.
"Wackjob preachers are ubiquitous. The Rev. Billy Graham once spoke to Richard Nixon in the White House about controlling the Jews, or words to that effect. C'mon, man....this is one-sided."
To which Bolanis replied, "The Wright thing doesn't affect me but the old guard will be put off and this can be a swift-boat issue. The difference here is that there has not been an orator with a command of language and the smarts of Obama for a long time to take the stage, so it will not be as easy as it was with Kerry, but this will prey on a deeper well of black water."
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on March 19, 2008 at 11:55 AM
comment #1
Reedyb
says ...
Latest polls from CNN
Likely Democratic primary voters' choice for nominee in 2008:
Clinton
50%
Obama
38%
Unsure
12%
Posted by Reedyb
at March 19, 2008 1:06 PM
comment #2
lazespud
says ...
Ah, back to the Obama Christ meme. I keep forgetting why I read Washington Elsewhere.
Posted by lazespud
at March 19, 2008 1:10 PM
comment #3
George Prager
says ...
Hillary wins the union states.
Ivan Dixon died today. I found a trailer for his movie
THE SPOOK WHO SAT BY THE DOOR:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vd13aJeqqjQ
Posted by George Prager
at March 19, 2008 1:14 PM
comment #4
redmond
says ...
I'm also from Pennsylvania and I can tell you for a fact the Geraldine Ferraro play was a shrewd move by the Clinton campaign. That kind of reverse discrimination talk will play like gangbusters in PA. Meanwhile, a disproportionate amount of reservists and active duty soldiers come from PA and no one wants to acknowledge that Hillary sent them to the meat grinder. My brother included who, thankfully, returned alive.
Posted by redmond
at March 19, 2008 1:18 PM
comment #5
christian
says ...
The sad fact is that Obama's speech did not convert the masses to his cause anymore than Romney's speech. Those that supported Obama doubled their own support, but it's doubtful that people crossed over from Clinton. Or McCain.
The youth are the ones most inspired and they'll have to carry Obama, or not.
Posted by christian
at March 19, 2008 1:19 PM
comment #6
vansmith
says ...
true, it'll be up to the youth and there arent enough of them, fear will win out because we'll make sure that it does..
Posted by vansmith
at March 19, 2008 1:25 PM
comment #7
mutinyco
says ...
I saw a poll yesterday that put Clinton and Obama in a statistical tie within the margin of error. She had completely erased his lead.
Posted by mutinyco
at March 19, 2008 1:44 PM
comment #8
vansmith
says ...
just read a dick morris piece he says stat wise there's no way obama can lose, he has too many delegates...
Posted by vansmith
at March 19, 2008 1:47 PM
comment #9
mutinyco
says ...
I don't think Clinton expects to have more delegates. Her strategy is to weaken Obama. The idea is to create a situation where Democratic voters lose faith in him and prefer her by the convention even if he has more pledges.
Posted by mutinyco
at March 19, 2008 1:52 PM
comment #10
Mgmax
says ...
"Neville! Come out and vote for Obama, Neville! Forget the old ways, brother, all the old hatreds. You are discarded. You are the refuse of the past. Come out, Neville!"
Posted by Mgmax
at March 19, 2008 1:52 PM
comment #11
Rich S.
says ...
Wow, that's scary. I just watched Omega Man the other night. Sadly, it did not hold up as well as I feared. But Heston was still Heston and Anthony Zerbe still makes a great zombie Luddite.
Posted by Rich S.
at March 19, 2008 2:02 PM
comment #12
Richardson
says ...
"I saw a poll yesterday that put Clinton and Obama in a statistical tie within the margin of error. She had completely erased his lead."
When did he ever have the lead in Pennsylvania?
Posted by Richardson
at March 19, 2008 2:05 PM
comment #13
Mgmax
says ...
"The America that has been routinely derided by Brits and Europeans for its stupidity and butt-ugly racism"
Ahem.
Ahem.
Six million ahems.
Posted by Mgmax
at March 19, 2008 2:06 PM
comment #14
mutinyco
says ...
Richardson, it was a nationwide poll. Not Pennsylvania.
Posted by mutinyco
at March 19, 2008 2:09 PM
comment #15
Gordie Lachance
says ...
Can somebody please explain to me why it even matters who is in the White House?
People hate each other. Always have. Always will. You can call it racism, or misogyny, or antisemitism, or homophobia or any of 100 other different names, but underneath it all it's just hate. It's arbitrary. It's biological. We can't stand each other. We're probably doomed. Get over it.
Posted by Gordie Lachance
at March 19, 2008 2:14 PM
comment #16
Movie Watcher
says ...
Pennsylvania is Philly, Pittsburgh and Alabama in the middle.
Posted by Movie Watcher
at March 19, 2008 2:17 PM
comment #17
vansmith
says ...
people dont hate each other, people are afraid of each other. its the fear that powerful people use to maintain their position. i can scare you into giving up your rights, your money, your dreams. i'll leave you with nothing but anger but not at me noooo, at the other guy...
Posted by vansmith
at March 19, 2008 2:23 PM
comment #18
bents75
says ...
"...but underneath it all it's just hate. It's arbitrary. It's biological. We can't stand each other. We're probably doomed. Get over it. "
Spoken like a true hater. It's not biological at all, unless you've been reading Nazi propaganda lately.
Continuing to live with hatred is not getting over it. At all. It's being complacent. If you were to drop that hate, so to speak, that, would be "getting over it."
Fuel on the fire my friend. Fuel on the fire.
Posted by bents75
at March 19, 2008 2:30 PM
comment #19
christian
says ...
I'll vote for HRC or BO no matter what, just to make that limited political corrective to our present course.
Allow me a bit of hyperbole. If America votes the GOP back into power, despite their litany of massive failures, our country is truly fucked for realz -- unless a genuine revolution rises from the heap.
Posted by christian
at March 19, 2008 2:37 PM
comment #20
Gordie Lachance
says ...
"Continuing to live with hatred is not getting over it."
Who says I hate anyone? I'm as easy-going and as loving a person as your never going to meet.
I'm not the one posting 500 word diatribes against "the libs" or "the neo-cons" (whatever all that nonsense means).
I'm just an impartial observer. But go ahead, shoot the messenger.
Posted by Gordie Lachance
at March 19, 2008 2:41 PM
comment #21
storymark
says ...
Gordie: "Can somebody please explain to me why it even matters who is in the White House?
People hate each other. Always have. Always will. You can call it racism, or misogyny, or antisemitism, or homophobia or any of 100 other different names, but underneath it all it's just hate. It's arbitrary. It's biological. We can't stand each other. We're probably doomed. Get over it. "
Well, hell, if that's how it is, why every bother to try an do anything better. For that matter, why don't you just shoot yourself in the head. We're all doomed anyway, right?
Posted by storymark
at March 19, 2008 2:55 PM
comment #22
Gordie Lachance
says ...
"why don't you just shoot yourself in the head?"
Because I have way too much fun laughing at the human folly all around me (though if it makes you feel better, I still smoke, so.....)
Posted by Gordie Lachance
at March 19, 2008 2:59 PM
comment #23
George Prager
says ...
How come I never see these names in print?
John Sidney McCain II
HIllary Diane Rodham Clinton
Posted by George Prager
at March 19, 2008 3:06 PM
comment #24
George Prager
says ...
actually it's
John Sidney McCain III
Posted by George Prager
at March 19, 2008 3:08 PM
comment #25
JaySmack
says ...
The Obaam speech was meant to stop the bleeding, it did that.
The whites who were going to vote against Obama already had their minds made up LOPNG before Rev Wright.
A week ago, their pathetic excuse was "Barak doesn't have enough 'experience.'" Now the redneck line is, "Oh,.I'm SO offended by Rev Wright!"
I don't see outrage or disgust from these inbred morons. I see glee. You would think it was Bingo Night in the Trailer Park the way these people are acting. They think this will hurt Obama and that's ALL they care about. At least we know where Hilary will be getting her votes.
You want to know how Bush won twice and how the country came to be dancing on the edge of economic oblvion? Ask the average Barak basher to tell you why they hate Obama so much. Stupidity on display.
Posted by JaySmack
at March 19, 2008 3:15 PM
comment #26
hatchetface
says ...
Get over it = Give in to it
A give-it-up, I'm-a-huge pussy attitude if ever I heard one. Keep sucking on the man's the cancer sticks, good buddy.
Posted by hatchetface
at March 19, 2008 3:17 PM
comment #27
K. Bowen
says ...
I know left-wirigers regard this as just a political ploy, but if a white Republican had sat in a church with a white minster shouting "God damn America" because it had integrated, how long would it be before he had to drop out?
Posted by K. Bowen
at March 19, 2008 3:23 PM
comment #28
Gordie Lachance
says ...
Ah, I LOVE this hatchetface guy.
I say humanity is doomed to hate and he calls me a pussy and wishes me death....
There's hope for us all yet!!
Posted by Gordie Lachance
at March 19, 2008 3:25 PM
comment #29
count.olaf
says ...
What will be the long term effects of calling everyone who doesn't for for Obama in the primaries dumb? If & when he gets the nomination, won't these "dumb" people be needed in order to secure his win? Will all be forgotten?
Posted by count.olaf
at March 19, 2008 3:25 PM
comment #30
George Prager
says ...
K.Bowen. Obviously you aren't up on the current events of this country, nor it's history. I suggest you stick to discussing American movies and Canadian politics. Or look at McCain's embrace of John Hagee and Rod Parsley and the late Jerry Falwell, Giuliani's embrace of Pat Robertson, etc. THen come back here and give us a comment that isn't as idiotic and mealy-mouthed.
Posted by George Prager
at March 19, 2008 3:39 PM
comment #31
rocco
says ...
The format may be new and hideous at H-e, but it's comforting to know that there's always a healthy dose of chicken-little Obama coverage to be found...
Posted by rocco
at March 19, 2008 3:41 PM
comment #32
christian
says ...
Speaking of dumb, here's one of our media gatekeepers losing the last shard of his integrity. And with a breast grab fer fun.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=JzUy_kEq0fA
Posted by christian
at March 19, 2008 4:05 PM
comment #33
storymark
says ...
K. Bowen:"I know left-wirigers regard this as just a political ploy, but if a white Republican had sat in a church with a white minster shouting "God damn America" because it had integrated, how long would it be before he had to drop out? "
You mean like McCain's 2 pastor supporters, who said New Orleans deseved Katrina? Hypocracy in action, folks...
Posted by storymark
at March 19, 2008 4:07 PM
comment #34
cobhome
says ...
yeah interesting isnt it that Hagee makes hateful bigoted and very very offensive statements about catholics - yet McCain still sails on - Wright makes hateful bigoted and offensive statements about white people - and that sinks Obama;s candidacy??
Posted by cobhome
at March 19, 2008 4:12 PM
comment #35
dawgzilla67
says ...
That's because, Cobhome, Republicans aren't really bothered by the things they say bother them, they're only concerned with tax cuts.
They say they had problems with Clinton smoking pot in the '60's but Geoge W can snort up half of Peru and that's fine and dandy. And I'm old enough to remember how Jimmy Carter's being an evangelical Christian was cause for concern but here again comes George W and it's all good.
The difference is, the other two guys actually thought millionaires should pony up their fair share of taxes and George W believes this place is just a cash grab for his rich friends.
Just remember that the next time yuo hear a conservative get all indignant about something.
Posted by dawgzilla67
at March 19, 2008 4:42 PM
comment #36
Mgmax
says ...
God, the quality of discourse here is simply staggering.
Posted by Mgmax
at March 19, 2008 5:12 PM
comment #37
K. Bowen
says ...
If Barack Obama or HIlary Clinton gets endorsed by Al Sharpton, while that might be considered embarrassing or politically touchy, it's not a disquaifying event for the presidency. Mainly that's because it would not reveal much about the personal beliefs or character of the candidate. No one mistakes the totality of Sharpton's beliefs as the candidate's own. Nor has the candidate spent an inordinate amount of time under Sharpton's influence.
That's simply politics,the art of the deal, and people understand that, and can judge it within the totality of the candidate. That is different from choosing a pastor, attending his church for 20 years, declaring him your mentor and spiritual adviser. That implies a level of discipleship, and a strong underlying possibility that the two persons share views. That is particularly true when the wife of the candidate often voices statements simliar to the pastor, and when the candidate is an unknown quantity with unknown credibility.
Personally, I'm not sure what to think about this affair at this point or to what degree Obama shares Wright's views. I do think that realistically speaking, it's political poison, particularly for a candidate who is a big question mark and doesn't seem eager to fill in the blanks.
I don't think anyone seriously believes that McCain shares those two pastors' controversial beliefs, although I don't think the scrutiny he's receiving for it is unfair. It's probably deserved, actually. With Obama, it remains to be seen. It was a strong speech, though.
Posted by K. Bowen
at March 19, 2008 8:18 PM
comment #38
storymark
says ...
K. Bowen: "I don't think anyone seriously believes that McCain shares those two pastors' controversial beliefs..."
Good point. I don't think McCain beleievs half the stuff he says. He's Captain Pander now. Anything to lock in the base.
Posted by storymark
at March 19, 2008 11:09 PM
comment #39
D.Z.
says ...
Mgmax: "Six million ahems."
Guess you forgot about those Indians we killed, or that Armenian genocide we don't want to acknowledge to appease Turkey...
Bowen: "I know left-wirigers regard this as just a political ploy, but if a white Republican had sat in a church with a white minster shouting "God damn America" because it had integrated, how long would it be before he had to drop out?"
Ask Strom Thurmond.
"That is different from choosing a pastor, attending his church for 20 years, declaring him your mentor and spiritual adviser. That implies a level of discipleship, and a strong underlying possibility that the two persons share views."
That didn't seem to be a problem when Trent Lott honored Thurmond.
christian: "Speaking of dumb, here's one of our media gatekeepers losing the last shard of his integrity. And with a breast grab fer fun."
He must not get much action, if he has to feel up someone flat-chested against her will. What a pathetic asshole.
Posted by D.Z.
at March 19, 2008 11:32 PM
comment #40
Mgmax
says ...
"That didn't seem to be a problem when Trent Lott honored Thurmond."
What part of being forced to step down did you think wasn't a "problem" for Lott?
Oh, and I love hearing about the Armenian genocide from someone who's often said we need to get on with the "inevitable" Iraqi genocide.
Posted by Mgmax
at March 20, 2008 6:34 AM
comment #41
D.Z.
says ...
"What part of being forced to step down did you think wasn't a "problem" for Lott?"
The part where he chose to ignore it until he was pressured to step down?
"Oh, and I love hearing about the Armenian genocide from someone who's often said we need to get on with the "inevitable" Iraqi genocide."
I said civil war is inevitable. Genocide is something which is happening in Darfur, Burma, and Tibet.
Posted by D.Z.
at March 20, 2008 10:37 AM
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