Archives » Tuesday, October 28, 2008
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Kurt Soller
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Oct 28, 2008 07:58 PM
In our new blog, Sprint to the Oval, Holly Bailey drew more than 100 comments after writing about McCain's threat at an Ohio rally that the election of Obama would lead to a "dangerous threesome"
in government -- Barack as president, along with Speaker Nancy Pelosi
and Harry Reid as Senate majority leader. All Democrats! Obviously,
this irked some readers who then commented, often in all caps, to this
effect: "Having an all democrat Congress and a democratic
liberal-as-they-come president is not just dangerous to our democracy,
it is suicidal to America's way of life."
Quickly -- and
unexpectedly -- this turned into a debate on race. Many commented back
and forth that Americans were only going to vote for Obama because he
would be the first black president, but others shot back saying that,
actually, people are more likely to choose McCain for his whiteness.
Right now, polls show that 92 percent of voters would be comfortable
choosing a black candidate, but who knows if the Bradley Effect will kick in? For a few readers who commented on the post, it shouldn't matter: "It
is absolutely pathetic that this presidential election has come down to
race rather than which candidate is more qualified," writes one commenter. "I
grew up in the boondocks and have been raised republican all of my life
and will be voting for McCain. Despite what democrats might think,
race has absolutely nothing to do with my decision, nor does party
affiliation... Black, white, who cares, but it is absolutely ridiculous
to think that Obama is so heavily favored just because of his race and
not because he is an outstanding American citizen."
Others
agreed -- who cares about race? -- and many on both sides were
disappointed that McCain pulled out the scare tactics. Here's one take:
"McCain should stop the negativity and talk about what he can do to
make the middle class Americans feel comfortable about the economy.
Come to the 21st century."
So, 21st century, what d'ya
think? Have we come far enough to stop talking about race? And is going
negative (again) a worthwhile tactic in Ohio? Sound off below.
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