"How do they think they got a majority in the South anyway?" Clinton told CNN outside a business luncheon he was attending. "I think what they are really upset about is that he made public their strategy."
The inference here, of course, is that Republicans got a majority in the South by using racist or veiled racist policies. Which also infers that all, or most, voting Southerners are racists.
Originally posted by PalpatineWThe inference here, of course, is that Republicans got a majority in the South by using racist or veiled racist policies. Which also infers that all, or most, voting Southerners are racists.
Change that "all, or most" to "many" and I'll wholeheartedly agree with the statement. Racists (closeted or otherwise) are not a majority, but they're a sufficiently large potential-voter-bloc to make a difference in a close election.
I spent four years in Raleigh, North Carolina, and got to witness a few campaigns down there. Jesse Helms's now-infamous "white hands crumpling a pink slip" ad was singled out by the national media, but it paled beside some of the rhetoric that was broadcast "below the radar" on local radio. Two years later, I'm not sure that I've ever heard anything more chilling than some of Pat Buchanan's down-South radio ads during his Presidential campaign. This is not a new phenomenon.
"When I feel depressed, I sit under a willow tree by a cool river, and imagine that I am strangling a duck." -- Kotaro Sarai
Originally posted by PalpatineWThe inference here, of course, is that Republicans got a majority in the South by using racist or veiled racist policies. Which also infers that all, or most, voting Southerners are racists.
Change that "all, or most" to "many" and I'll wholeheartedly agree with the statement. Racists (closeted or otherwise) are not a majority, but they're a sufficiently large potential-voter-bloc to make a difference in a close election.
I spent four years in Raleigh, North Carolina, and got to witness a few campaigns down there. Jesse Helms's now-infamous "white hands crumpling a pink slip" ad was singled out by the national media, but it paled beside some of the rhetoric that was broadcast "below the radar" on local radio. Two years later, I'm not sure that I've ever heard anything more chilling than some of Pat Buchanan's down-South radio ads during his Presidential campaign. This is not a new phenomenon.
Pat did lose Southern Primaries. The irony is the one state that Brother Buchanan had success in was in the Northeast.
I want you to know, I agree with everything I've just said.
Originally posted by redsoxnationPat did lose Southern Primaries. The irony is the one state that Brother Buchanan had success in was in the Northeast.
Well, yes. I'm not implying that either
a) racist politics == automatic success in the South b) lack of racist politics == automatic failure in the South or c) that we don't have lots of racists up North as well.
But anyone who pretends that racism isn't still a major problem in the South, or that politicians won't pander to racist demographics is kidding themselves.
"When I feel depressed, I sit under a willow tree by a cool river, and imagine that I am strangling a duck." -- Kotaro Sarai
1) I agree with Vsp. I live in North Carolina, and that is how white male (mostly conservative, but in some places liberals as well) run their campaigns. I don't think I saw any really bad Elizabeth Dole ads, but then again I was so sick of the whole thing that I stopped paying attention long before November.
2) People have been saying this for days before Clinton. "Lott has seen the 'segs' as part of his constituency. But he knows now that the cost of winking at them is very high, not so much among blacks as among white moderate voters and among national GOP leaders." - Time Magazine Dec. 23, 2002
-Jag
Oh and Grimis, not to pick on you but the whole thing is about race. So Clinton didn't really play, "the race card".
With poison running through your veins, and death marching solemnly towards you, heroic acts become more of a necessity as you see your time dwindling.
Vanquishing your enemies, making amends to those you have wronged, and leaving words of love and kindness for those around you become second nature as your own mortality looms
However, true strength lies not in these last desperate acts, but in the actions of one who has to get out of bed the next day and face the consequences of doing that which you believe is right.
I don't think racism had much to do with Republicans gaining political control in the south. First off, think what you will about Trent Lott, but Republican strategies are not *racist*. Many blacks stand against racial quotas, that is really the only major issue being tacitly thrown about here. To imply it is *racism* to take that stance on affirmative action is just wrong. You need to carefully nuance this statement and say that "many white racists in the south support Republicans because *the southerners believe* that Republican ideals fit their racist ideals." They more or less believed the same thing about the Democratic party for decade after decade, probably even long after "Dixie-Crat" elements in the party were marginalized. Racists are just stupid like that.
Second, there are so many other issues which make the Republican agenda of the past 30-40 years much more appealing to the conservative demographic of the south, religion and family value issues likely being the main ones. So for Clinton to suggest that Republicans win in the south because of perceived racist views alone is just flat out stupid.
DMC
(edited by DMC on 19.12.02 0946) "There's only two things I can't stand. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures...AND THE DUTCH!" -Michael Caine, Goldmember
I have to wonder if the way to stop all of this racism (alleged or otherwise) is to stop screaming about how racist people are, and ignore race ALL TOGETHER when dealing with people as "communities." I am trying to see what good this debate (on the national scale) is doing to promote equality. Can't think of a thing!
Originally posted by DJ FrostyFreezeCan you really consider his statement "Playing the race card" when the topic at hand is all about race in the first place?
It's not like they were talking about something completely different and Clinton just threw some race-related stuff in there for fun.
I'd look at it this way, Frosty. Clinton is exploiting this for political gain in a dishonest fashion. I know this is politics, so that's fine, but I don't think we can take him seriously as any sort of anti-racist advocate. The issue here really isn't race; the issue is fostering the impression that the Republicans are all racists. If you look at the record, you'll find racists on both sides of the aisle. If Clinton was really interested in "healing the country" or any other such B.S., then he would call out racists from both parties. My point here is that he is not giving the issue of racism an honest treatment. He is using it almost as a buzzowrd to stir up a very visceral reaction.