Playing the race card, again
The Clinton camp is advancing the argument that Barack Obama wouldn't be where he is, the front-runner in the Democratic primary campaign, except for being black. His "race," they believe, the color of his skin, is a political advantage in America, and the only one they will acknowledge, besides being a gifted and inspiring speaker--a trait they also dismiss as irrelevant.
On the other hand, being female is (they claim) a major handicap. Being black is a sure-voter getter, but being a woman is simply an impossible disadvantage. Geraldine Ferraro, who made the most recent statements, has argued many times that she considers being female a much bigger handicap than being African-American. Her recent words:
"If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman [of any color] he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept."
Well. So there has been this turn of the tide of opinion, and the nation is apparently just clamoring to have a "minority" president.
All of this is making me really angry! (And that is aside from the grammatical error).
I suppose it is just a tactic for distracting attention from Obama's victory today in the Mississippi primary, on the heels of winning Wyoming on Saturday. And indeed, this side-issue is taking up a good share of media attention. (It also is the reason we aren't hearing much about the resignation of the Admiral Fallon, the head of U.S. Central Command, who has opposed much of the Bush administration's military adventurism.
And I suppose it is a way of dismissing Mississippi itself as "just a black state," unlike such states as Ohio--where Clinton finally had a victory herself after a string of 12 political losses--which she considers to be a real "American" state.
But still, the truth is that if Obama were white--(condition contrary to fact)--and if he didn't have a "funny name"--which his political rivals use to claim that he is affiliated with terrorists--he would have carried the Democratic nomination in a walk. It would have been all over weeks ago. Maybe months ago. Racism is diminished in the U.S., I I think that is for sure. But not enough that there aren't a great many who find it hard support him on the basis of race alone.
But, in contrast, if Hillary Clinton weren't the wife of a former president, then she wouldn't even be the Senator from New York. And HRC certainly wouldn't be a "serious" contender for the Democratic nomination, without Bill's name and Bill's organization behind her. Hillary Rodham would be unknown, except perhaps as an advocate for children, with that narrow (though not unimportant!) circle.
In contrast, Obama won election to the Senate here in Illinois on his own steam, based on his own credentials and strengths. He is a candidate for president, too, based on his own personal strengths, and despite being a newcomer to the national scene.
With this kind of campaigning, though, it is harder and harder to take HRC seriously. It has been quite a while since I have heard any discussions of the merits of, say, competing health care plans. Or economic recovery strategies. Or how to address the deficit. All our time is being taken up with these Hillary's phony charges and false claims.
So Clinton's campaign tactics have become THE issue in this election. They, particularly the statements of her close supporters, are the primary focus of media coverage.
And they, by themselves, also are sufficient indication that she doesn't not belong in the White House (again). One Karl Rove/Dick Cheney/George Bush administration was enough!
Their day, and her day, is past. It is time to get back to the very real problems of governing.
Comments
But, in this year, at this time, it is not a time to be silent.
I'm glad to see you (and others) are concerned that the real issues are being ignored. It blows my mind, this he said/she said bickering!! As you said, we have some very real problems for governing. (Today in CA I just paid $3.94/gal for premium gas) I don't care what color or gender... the US needs a leader with some common sense who gives a hoot about what happens to the people he/she governs. I'm still waiting for someone to step up strongly with that leadership.
I thought the Admiral Fallon story would be given more importance too.