OBAMA

[landlocked]

O.K.tell me what you guys think.Alot of hard core Democrats that I have talked to,that would've voted for Hillary in a second,are fudging on Barack Obama.And I have to say that I feel the reason is is because he is black.I think alot of older Americans and alot of younger white people will not pull the lever for him for this reason.I find him to be very articulate,intelligent and personable as well as charismatic and as of now,I am still undecided,but I would not be surprised or disappointed if he were elected and I may end up voting for him myself.I would like to think that we've moved beyond this in this country but,I can't help but get this vibe from alot of people I talk to.Sad.

[Dave Gray]

I can only speak for me and the people I know.

I am young and white, and will vote for Obama.
My parents are old and white, and will vote for Obama.

My friends that normally vote democrat are all voting for Obama.  The large majority of my friends and family that vote GOP are continuing to do so.  -- There are a few exceptions of people I know, lifelong conservatives, who are supporting a democrat for the first time.

I only know one person who will not vote for Obama because he's black -- one of my brothers.  He deals with racial divide at his job and thinks that he is unfairly treated because of affirmative action, and he thinks that Obama will make this policy worse.

[Frimp]

I wouldn't have a problem voting for a black person at all if I thought that he/she would be good for the country.

[CF DolFan]

I said this before he was ever nominated. Regardless of how it should be, there is still a lot of hidden racism and sexism in this country and is one of the reasons I'm not completely against affirmative action.  It's also why Hillary would not have won. 

I also think it goes the other way too but not near as much.  Some people feel they have to support him, or at least say it publicly, because they do not want to come across as racist.  I know that I have been accused of being racist several times from people who do not know me.  I won't even get into the fact that I have blacks and latinos in my family. The sad truth is when it comes to making that choice anonymously I don't see it happening even if he was the best option we have.  The fact that he is not does not help him.     

[Phishfan]

I think most people who would consider race as the sole reason for not voting for Obama do not and will not vote anyway. They will sit around in their own ignorance and talk about how no one will vote for him because he is black, but never actually go to a polling place.

[Defense54]

O.K.tell me what you guys think.Alot of hard core Democrats that I have talked to,that would've voted for Hillary in a second,are fudging on Barack Obama.And I have to say that I feel the reason is is because he is black.I think alot of older Americans and alot of younger white people will not pull the lever for him for this reason.I find him to be very articulate,intelligent and personable as well as charismatic and as of now,I am still undecided,but I would not be surprised or disappointed if he were elected and I may end up voting for him myself.I would like to think that we've moved beyond this in this country but,I can't help but get this vibe from alot of people I talk to.Sad.

I agree 100%. Most people here are either not going to admit it or will just go out of their way to Praise Obaba so they can show how open minded they are. But the truth is this country is just not ready for a black President. It WON'T happen. They should have done it slowly and nominated him as a vice president. I still may vote for him , I don't know.....I'm waiting for the debates to make my descision. But most of the country is just not ready.

[CF DolFan]

I think most people who would consider race as the sole reason fro not voting for Obama do not and will not vote anyway. They will sit around in their own ignorance and talk about how no one will vote for him because he is black, but never actually go to a polling place.

Are you kidding Phish?  While I agree that many who are racist are ignorant and uninvolved but they are also the most afraid.  They will show up.  This doesn't count all of the racist Democrats who are afraid to admit they don't trust a black man as a leader but would never admit it. 

Win lose or draw I'm betting Obama voting is less than whatever the polls show going or coming out of the polls.   

[Phishfan]

^^^ I am completely serious. I know many people who stand by the belief that Obama cannot win because he is black. None of them have ever voted in their life and are not registered voters still. That is my point.

[CF DolFan]

^^^ I am completely serious. I know many people who stand by the belief that Obama cannot win because he is black. None of them have ever voted in their life and are not registered voters still. That is my point.

And many who say they will vote for him won't when it comes down to it.   That's the bigger issue IMO.  I agree that most of those that have never been involved most likeley still won't be.  They are also the ones who complain the loudest for some reason.     

[Phishfan]

I thought of another point to show their great intelligence, but decided to add it after your post. One of these people is 65 and didn't even know how to register to vote. And he is indeed one of the loudest complainers you speak of.

Maybe you are right. I just don't know that racism (and that's what I call voting strictly based on skin color) is that much of a closet thing. It oozes out of people's pores so I can't see it happening the way you say. It may very well happen though and I have been known to be wrong before.

[Buddhagirl]

I live in a predominately white, upperclass progressive neighborhood. (Lots of gays, too.) I don't know a single person voting for McCain. There are tshirts, signs in yards, and stickers on cars.

I think Obama stands a good chance. Anyone who hops over to McCain after being a Hilary supporter is clueless. They have nothing in common. I don't see how you go from Hilary to McCain. At all.

[CF DolFan]

I thought of another point to show their great intelligence, but decided to add it after your post. One of these people is 65 and didn't even know how to register to vote. And he is indeed one of the loudest complainers you speak of.

Maybe you are right. I just don't know that racism (and that's what I call voting strictly based on skin color) is that much of a closet thing. It oozes out of people's pores so I can't see it happening the way you say. It may very well happen though and I have been known to be wrong before.

It isn't always so obvious.   Within the immediate houses around me I  have white Christian, white Jew, black, Asian, lesbian couple, hispanic, Indians (from India), and a family from the islands somewhere. Everyone appears to get along great but I've had to tell some that are racist that I didn't appreciate their jokes.  I've also found out the lesbians do not like me because of what I stand for yet they are friendly when they see me.  It's funny because they wear out the homeowners assoc. with complaints every chance they get.   Everyone appears to get along on the face of it but there are some that can't stand the other for really no nothing other than their differences.

[Lee]

I haven't been researching Obama (or any candidate much yet).  However, I am not impressed with his political background and experience.  I don't know if this was ever brought up in our political threads, so I do apologize if it has been:

1. I saw that he was a Senator for 3 years prior to running for office and of those 3 years, he has spent 1.5 campaigning for president.

2. He only voted 120 times in his whole senate life-span ... and ALL of those votes were "Present"... This means he did not decide on even 1 single issue in his entire senate career.

Now, I'm not saying that McCain is the person to vote for, but I certainly want someone with more experience leading our country.  I'm sorry, its not the color of his skin.


Now, one thing that is related to his policy stance that I disagree with is Israel.  I am worried because 1 day he supports Israel and the next day he doesn't...

[bsmooth]

During the West Virginia primary, people actually said they would not vote for a black man. There is still a lot of unresolved racial tension in many parts of this country. When you combine this with all of the "muslim" spin coming out of a certain news agency and their mistake of putting Osama's face to Obama's name, and you have a serious hurdle for Obama.
If McCain does win, you will se a lot of people say " Hey I voted for Obama", but as the voting is secret, they can hide their true feelings.

[run_to_win]

If McCain does win I fear the entire country is in for long drawn-out discussion on racism.  *sigh*