Prometheus 6

While I'm reading stuff at TPM I noticed a post titled Why the Clintons are bigger racists than the unshaven drunk tossing around the n-word (the accuracy of which I leave to your individual judgment), and I got cold-cocked by some of the comments.

Obama's campaign has constantly said they did not want to make the election about race. That's what they should have done -- ignored racism if they saw, shrugged off questions about Clinton's comments and focused on the big picture of winning in November. But they couldn't stop themselves (oops, racial gaff about .. something) and it's going to cost us the election.

...which one guy thought was pretty brazen. Hillary attacks and Obama loses the election for Democrats by responding.

I don't expect you to understand how dismissive your words above appear to others. Know your place, boy, is what is implied. Go along to get along.

With respect to November, if Obama is the candidate and loses to McCain, the fault will lie with Hillary Clinton. The sniper-fire dodging, world negotiator without a security clearance, will be blamed for attacking Obama while building up McCain's credentials.

Sorry, it's 2008 not 1958. Black people and other Progressives will speak out. We give similar responses to Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter et al all the time.

The reply was deep.

Then you'll lose. Election after election, you'll lose.

African Americans make up roughly 18 percent of the population. There is not a single state where there is an African American majority. Alienate white voters -- make them feel uncomfortable, remind them that there's this big problem that has to be addressed -- and you'll lose.

Why do you think The Cosby Show was the highest rated show of its era. Because it was non threatening. While this is a large and dangerous generalization, I think a lot of white people are desperate to embrace black people who weren't angry and aren't talking about race all the time. And you know when the ratings dropped off? When they started talking about race.

Elections are about winning. If you want change, win first. Obama's strategy may have won him the primary, but it won't win the GE. He could have won the primary without allowing race to be a part of it. He didn't. And as much as I hope I'm wrong, that decision likely means he'll lose.

That third paragraph is amazing. And he may have a point. But...and this is something for white liberals to give some thought to...so does his conversational partner.

The Cosby Show failed because it was racially threatening. Interesting.

Geraldine Ferraro can express anger. African-American Democrats should be patient and understanding. Welcome to 1958.

If White Democrats are truly as sensitive as you say they are regarding race. How does one differentiate them from White Republicans?

and

If a large segment of White Democrats and White Republicans say "just shut up about race", then what is the benefit of being a Democrat or a Repubican for an African-American?

If White Democrats are just as blind to racism as White Republicans, what's the reason for voting for a Democratic candidate?

And if you don't think it's a good question, you've got to realize that a lot of Black people are single issue voters on civil rights. You've got to realize you have as much chance of changing that as you have of changing the minds of single issue voters who fixate on second amendment issues, or who organize around abortion, or school choice.

It's a good question. Democrats should have an answer ready.