Why Tonight Matters For Obama

During Barack Obama's North Carolina victory speech two weeks ago, I couldn't help but notice the complexion of those chosen to sit behind Obama as he spoke: it was a sea of white faces. The message being, of course, that despite what the media is telling you, Obama does not have a white voter problem. One suspects that's at least partially behind his choice of where he'll be speaking after his expected Oregon victory tonight:

Sen. Hillary Clinton will spend Tuesday night in Kentucky to celebrate what's expected to be a big win in that state's primary. But Sen. Barack Obama won't be in Oregon, even though he's favored to win that state's contest Tuesday.

The Illinois senator will appear at a rally in Iowa, where he kicked off the primary season with a January 3 caucus win -- a victory that helped propel him to Democratic front-runner status.

Yes, Iowa, the state that put Obama on the map as it were, and, perhaps more importantly, proved that he can win among white voters. Expect that to be the message out of tonight, driven both by his choice of Iowa as a venue from which to speak to supporters, but also by the actual results from tonight's Oregon primary. As Jeff at Blue Oregon notes, Oregon isn't exactly a paragon of diversity itself, nor is it, for the most part, a terribly wealthy state.

Enter Oregon.  Forget the People's Republic of Portland--the Beaver State is plenty hardscrabble.  Obama_waterfront Our median income is nearly $2,000 below the national average, our per-capita income is lower than the national average, we have more people in poverty, and we regularly have higher unemployment.  And of course, we're bone white--90.5%, tenth whitest in the nation.  Come tomorrow night, Obama will have notched another primary thanks to the broad support of whites, and pundits will be reminded that Obama did well with that demographic in Connecticut, Maryland, Missouri, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

I think Jeff's right to conclude that

Oregon's central role in this election won't be putting Obama over the 50%-mark in pledged delegates (though we probably will do that).  Rather, it's in reminding everyone that his broad base of support includes whites and poorer voters.



Display:


Todd (none / 0)

I think the Plans are off for tonight...Obama should talk a lot about Kennedy and then announce a summer push for health care reform for all.


Matthew25Network.com
by cardboard 1 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:16:39 PM EST

Re: Todd (none / 0)

And Clinton?


by IowaMike on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:22:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Todd (none / 0)

guess she should do the same...as long as she does not attack Obama that fine.  They should both begin a summer push for Health Care.


Matthew25Network.com
by cardboard 1 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:28:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Todd (none / 0)

I second this. Obama should speak about Teddy Kennedy and have a low key event.

My 0.02 cents.


Obama/Clark will CRUSH John McCain
by spacemanspiff on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:36:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The problem: Talk Is Cheap (none / 0)

I listen to you folk and I can't help but wonder, how can people be so naive? The amount of money that is riding on whether the US institutes some kind of universal healthcare is huge. Basically, its the difference between what we are paying now in percentage of our GNP that is spent on healthcare, and the average for other developed nations. That is probably hundreds of billions, or even TRILLIONS of dollars on the line. The only comparable budget item, ANYWHERE on Earth, is the US defense budget.

When you have a financial motive that great, and 'stakeholders' so incredibly flush with money after SO many years of obscenely inflated prices, do you really think that the stakeholders are going to leave something as unpredictable as an election up to CHANCE?  

They can buy their own candidates. They can buy their own PR, they can buy ANYTHING.

Its going to be a long, HARD fight.

Thats why I am voting for Hillary. At least she and I are on the same page as far as goals go.

And she has her premium cap. Ive tried to figure out Obama's healthcare plan, in a way that makes sense.

But I haven't been able to figure out how he could possibly make it work without changing something big.

You can try it yourself.

http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/Advers eSelection/


Universal healthcare IS a Democratic value
It's been defeated
Obama has the best $PIN that money can buy.
by architek on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:58:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Watch ABC news tonight (none / 0)

Jake Tapper interviewed Obama. Some of it is about Kennedy.


by Sopianae on Tue May 20, 2008 at 05:27:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (2.00 / 1)

I would imagine he would say something like this:

1.  Our deepest condolences for Ted Kennedy

2.  We're going to push forward and continue because this country deserves real change

3.  Unity unity unity

In short, I think he's going to "act like he's been there before".  He's already won, and everyone knows it, so why go around touting it?


UNITY!
by The Great Gatsby on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:20:59 PM EST

Picky, I know, but (2.00 / 1)

"condolences" are normally reserved for expressing sympathy to grieving families/individuals after suffering the loss of a loved one.  A bit premature, methinks.


by DaTruth on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:10:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I doubt he picks the faces on TV (2.00 / 1)

At least not that carefully.  Are you trying to suggest he'd tell black people to move to the "back of the hall" so I can get more white faces up front?

Now, that said, I think there is strategy to his being in Iowa but I think it has more to do with time zones than skin color.


If you vote McCain, you don't believe in anything Hillary has stood for her whole life.
by SpanishFly on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:22:57 PM EST

Actually they do (2.00 / 1)

All campaigns have event coordinators that pick who will be behind the candidate at a televised rally.  I remember the Daily Show interview, where the people behind Clinton were nearly all bored-looking multi-ethnic young people.

It's not that controvercial.


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:45:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Actually they do (2.00 / 1)

most of the time at these kind of events, they reserve the seating behind the 'person of interest' for a certain group of people. LIke students...


by alyssa chaos on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:02:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Actually they do (none / 0)

Yes. In either Oregon or Iowa, it will be a sea of white people. If they pick people, maybe it should be some of the over 65 crowd.


by platy on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:20:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Tonight will be another (2.00 / 1)

acknowledgment of the fact that the race is over. Hopefully we can move on to beating McCain.


should we go outside? / should we break some bread? / are you'nterested?
by Firewall on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:26:16 PM EST

almost everyone has already moved on (2.00 / 2)

it's only the most hardcore who are still hanging on. i mean really, out in the real world, teams clinton and obama are already coming together.  i see it here on the ground in texas (yea, texas) and it's happening across the country as well.

not that i blame them for hanging on, mind you, but i do think in the end it may prove to be a waste of time and resources for them.


Visit us at TexasKAOS, where we're taking Texas back!
by annatopia on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:32:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Unfortunately, (none / 0)

the race that's over is probably the general.


by RobinLB on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:42:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

True (2.00 / 1)

McCain doesn't stand a chance!


by Tatan on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:44:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: True (2.00 / 2)

Yep! McSame couldn't beat either one of them. They could run a rubber chicken as VP and win.


by platy on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:23:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Unfortunately, (2.00 / 1)

Thsour Grapesth
by mikeinsf on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:44:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (2.00 / 3)

I can't imagine going to Iowa has a single thing to do with the racial composition that will be behind him while speaking.  It just doesn't make any sense, since Oregon is 90+% white and only about 2% black (Asians and Hispanics are larger minorities there).  Iowa is all about the symbolism of ending the primary and beginning the general election.


John McCain vows to overturn Roe
by soccerandpolitics on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:36:45 PM EST

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

Yes, that's what I read, too. The racial demographics  don't differ much. Lilly white.


by platy on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:26:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (2.00 / 4)

You know, it's rather sad that this myth has to be debunked in the first place.  It's like all of the white states he won before the Appalachia-related primaries suddenly mean nothing.  Do people really have such short attention spans?


by rfahey22 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:39:47 PM EST

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (2.00 / 2)

People are impressed by flashy numbers. Apparently "zomg 40% in West Virginia!" out-trumps smaller wins and caucus states.


Users who are excessively bashing the Democratic Party, or being Republican trolls, will be banned.
by Massadonious on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:44:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (2.00 / 1)

The lie that Obama has a problem with white voters was actually pretty disgusting.


by catalysis on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:46:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (2.00 / 1)

Except for white women over 50, Obama has done just fine with whites.


by Angry White Democrat on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:53:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

Indeed, and this is probably more a reflection of Clinton's strength than Obama's weakness.


by Covin on Tue May 20, 2008 at 06:00:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yep (none / 0)

I mean, did they go into the problem Hillary has with black voters?  


Obama 2008!
by lollydee on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:59:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hillary's "problem"? (none / 0)

Black voters have voted for the black candidate almost unamimously.  That's not "Hillary's problem", but everyone tip-toes around it.  It is what it is, and it's pretty ridiculous to suggest that black voters believe monolithically that Obama would make a better president than Clinton.
They're voting for one of their own, plain and simple.  

For all the pathetic talk of racism in this primary season, what's been posted above is part and parcel of the fact that where white voters have been concerned, there isn't, by and large, a hesitancy to vote for a black candidate (thank God).  The real question is, will black voters --when there's both black and white candidates in a race such as this-- vote for a white candidate?

I'm hoping that if Obama does make it to the presidency, this monolithic voting bloc will morph into simply voting for the candidate individuals feel is best for the job.  


by DaTruth on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:19:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary's "problem"? (2.00 / 1)

They will. Don't forget, Hillary started out with the AA vote. All the way to SC.


by platy on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:33:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary's "problem"? (2.00 / 3)

Us black voters have no problem voting  for whites. Ask John Edwards or Steve Cohen. Look how well Alan Keyes does.

We WERE for Clinton. She LOST us.


John McCain on social security.
by heresjohnny on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:52:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary's "problem"? (2.00 / 1)

She didn't lose me.


Obama-Clinton: The New Glory of America
by Zeitgeist9000 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 05:46:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary's "problem"? (none / 0)

You're one of the few.


John McCain on social security.
by heresjohnny on Tue May 20, 2008 at 08:46:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary's "problem"? (2.00 / 1)

When did we ever have a choice?!  As far as I know, I've been voting for white presidential candidates all of my life, and we don't vote in a huge mindless block.  We're supporting Obama, yes, but I can guarantee it would be a different story if it were Al Sharpton running against Hillary.  I, for one, would be team Hillary.

He's a great candidate who happens to be black, and HELL YEAH, I'm voting for him because he IS best for the job.


Obama 2008!
by lollydee on Tue May 20, 2008 at 05:50:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Whoa there, buddy! (none / 0)

Black people have been voting for white politicians since well before you or I have been around. I think that's a very ignorant question for you to ask.

They are voting for Obama not only because they might think he's the better candidate, but also out of pride. And it's empowering for them.


by Covin on Tue May 20, 2008 at 06:07:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (2.00 / 1)

Yes, Hillary said it once and the media just keep hammering on it. They can't distinguish Appalachia from the white states he's done very well in. (Or more likely, they just don't want to.)


by platy on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:30:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (2.00 / 1)

I see where you're going here, but I think you miss the point.

It's not which demographics Obama can attract versus Clinton, it's which battleground states each candidate can swing to the blue column come November.

When you look at the states won so far by each campaign, Obama comes up short.


by leisure on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:43:09 PM EST

Boggles the mind (none / 0)

When you look at the states won so far by each campaign, Obama comes up short.

Simply amazing.


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:49:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

So you believe that Hillary would win Arizona and lose Illinois?


by Angry White Democrat on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:54:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

no matter how many times they say it. i dont think Arizona swinging for Obama is possible.


by alyssa chaos on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:04:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

I don't think you understand the post you're responding to.


by The Animal on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:13:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Oregon should be the end of the trail for Hillary (2.00 / 1)

If not it won't matter much in the larger picture. Obama as already focused on McPain.


McCain's occupation plan will achieve victory when it bestows liberty to the freedom loving people of Iraq and their freedom loving oil.
by Lefty Coaster on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:44:21 PM EST

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

You've got to be kidding?  To pretend that the white vote in Oregon is anything like the white vote in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Indiana is ridiculous. Him winning Oregon tonight does nothing to prove he has overcome "demographics is destiny".  If he would've compaigned in Kentucky and tried to narrow her lead there, THAT would have been compelling!


by sgdavis73 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:50:28 PM EST

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (2.00 / 2)

Male median income in Oregon: $41,536; Kentucky: $39,595; Female median income in Oregon: $32,390; Kentucky: $29,392

try again


I would say at this point we're starting to see a little desperation on the part of the woman who I support... NY Governor Paterson
by obamaovermccain on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:53:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Well, he's getting the hillbilly for obama vote... (none / 0)

who are you talking about? the confederate flag wearing WVians who can't seem to grasp that they seceeded from Virginia over slavery?? (seriously, anyone from WV care to take a stab at why people do that???)


*&=4eva
by BlogSurrogate57 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:07:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well, he's getting the hillbilly for obama (none / 0)

haha


I would say at this point we're starting to see a little desperation on the part of the woman who I support... NY Governor Paterson
by obamaovermccain on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:08:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

It's not that difficult (none / 0)

They didn't secede from Virginia because they were concerned over the plight of the African people in bonds, they seceded from Virginia because they hated the wealthy plantation owners.  They didn't want to fight for a way of life that didn't benefit them.

That's the common belief, at least.


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:13:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

there was significant pro-confederate sentiment (none / 0)

especially in the eastern counties.


by JJE on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:20:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

thanks for the schoolin' (none / 0)


*&=4eva
by BlogSurrogate57 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:27:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (2.00 / 2)

If you look at the results more carefully, Obama's "white vote problem" is concentrated in the Appalachians. That can be made up for in a number of ways. They tend to be Republican, anyway. So not much making up has to be done.


by platy on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:39:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

Wishful thinking. Let's chat on November 6th once you all have stopped crying.


by sgdavis73 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:58:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

thanks for the future prediction karnack


I would say at this point we're starting to see a little desperation on the part of the woman who I support... NY Governor Paterson
by obamaovermccain on Tue May 20, 2008 at 05:03:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

I'm not sure if or how long I'll be crying for joy, but I doubt I'll come looking for you.

Thanks, though.


by platy on Tue May 20, 2008 at 05:38:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Full Circle (2.00 / 2)

This has more to do with the symbolism of ending the pledged delegate race in the state that his ascendancy began than proving anything about white voters.

Obama knows people eat that kind of thing right up.


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:51:13 PM EST

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (2.00 / 1)

Male median income in Oregon: $41,536; Kentucky: $39,595; Female median income in Oregon: $32,390; Kentucky: $29,392

hmm seems to me Obama doesn't have a white working class problem.


I would say at this point we're starting to see a little desperation on the part of the woman who I support... NY Governor Paterson
by obamaovermccain on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:53:25 PM EST

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (1.00 / 1)

Well he did in the Democratic primary in PA. I hope these people vote Obama in the fall. In the primary, however, yes he has been weak with the working class whites in the primary. I don't understand why Obama supporters (I am one now...the primary is over IMO) cannot see this. These huge landslide for Obama is NOT going to happen...we are going to have to work very hard for a win.


Philly Liberal
by Airb330 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:01:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

Good god sorry about the typos and horrible syntax. My 15 page grad paper has fried my brain!


Philly Liberal
by Airb330 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:02:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You can repeat this meme (none / 0)

from now until election day, but 1+1 will never equal 3, whether you're an Obama supporter, a Clinton supporter, or a McCain fan.

Obama does just fine with "working class whites".


should we go outside? / should we break some bread? / are you'nterested?
by Firewall on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:04:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: You can repeat this meme (none / 0)

I would like to believe this...and I think he will do ok with this demographic in the GE...but in the primary he has been weak with that demographic. My boyfriend's entire family (5 people) voted for Clinton and now plan on voting for McCain. I sincerely hope they are an outlier in that demographic. Is there some Wilder effect going on? I'm sorry, but no one wants to address these issues and just pretend Obama is going to win in some landslide (not here at Mydd, but at Dkos, you'd think he's already won the GE). I'm going to work very hard for Obama this fall, and hopefully start with my boyfriend's family haha. The more we all understand some of these issues, the better we can address them. (For instance, his family says "we can't trust Obama" for whatever that is worth...)


Philly Liberal
by Airb330 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:14:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: You can repeat this meme (none / 0)

Good to have you aboard! The problem is in the Appalachian Mountains. WV is his worst state, and it's the only one that is completely in "them thar hills". Penn., KY, Ohio were bad, but not as bad as WV. He did well in NC because because only the western tip is Appalachian, and even there Asheville is an island of Progressives.

The campaign knows this. Honestly, I don't think campaigning in WV would help much. I think they plan to make it up with GOTV new voters. Many of the areas are too Repub. to worry about, anyway.

There's not much of a white vote problem outside of these areas. Look how well he does in other "white" states.


by platy on Tue May 20, 2008 at 05:03:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (2.00 / 2)

No one said it will be easy, hell even Obama will concede this.  My point is and thread down and you can see he does not have a working class problem, but that perception has been ingrained in our heads by Hillary and her supporters.  Why can't we just agree that we have two good candidates and people WILL vote for either of them come November?


I would say at this point we're starting to see a little desperation on the part of the woman who I support... NY Governor Paterson
by obamaovermccain on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:05:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

we will have to work hard... (2.00 / 1)

but oddsmakers are putting it at 5% McCain in November. ;-)

Yeah, in PA he did have a working class problem. Well, that is, if you don't remember that middle class starts at 150,000 (across the country, mind). EE! In that case, I guess he didn't do quite as bad as people say.

Err... and that makes the 'working class' into the lower-lower class.


*&=4eva
by BlogSurrogate57 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:24:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

Not a white workin class problem.

Just a swing state problem.


by leisure on Tue May 20, 2008 at 06:02:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (2.00 / 4)

The latest Gallup poll finds:


by nwodtuhs on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:57:30 PM EST

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (2.00 / 1)

you are awesome!


I would say at this point we're starting to see a little desperation on the part of the woman who I support... NY Governor Paterson
by obamaovermccain on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:01:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

While good news...its a bit misleading regarding "working class whites". The high school graduate or less column is surely to include AAs. It's good to see Hispanics accepting Obama though :) What % did Kerry and Gore receive of this "working class whites" demographic that the MSM is so obsessed with anyway?


Philly Liberal
by Airb330 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:05:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

They got less than half... (none / 0)

and I'm going to start referring to the demographic as the lowerlower class, because it is more accurate (working class is upper lower class)


*&=4eva
by BlogSurrogate57 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:25:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

i doubt these figures. i dont think the hispanic vote has quite swinged over to Barack quite yet.


by alyssa chaos on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:06:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Bill Richardson? (none / 0)


Users who are excessively bashing the Democratic Party, or being Republican trolls, will be banned.
by Massadonious on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:17:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yep (2.00 / 1)

This ought to be a front page story here.  He's winning everything but women over 50, from what I read elsewhere.


If you vote McCain, you don't believe in anything Hillary has stood for her whole life.
by SpanishFly on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:15:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Here's the link to the breakdown: (none / 0)

Key Clinton Constituencies Moving Toward Obama


by Sopianae on Tue May 20, 2008 at 05:42:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

Armando did a whole analysis over at Talk Left.

Obama loses the white vote overwhelmingly with a few exceptions.

Of course he gets white voters, but he doesn't do well with them overall.

Just a fact.

Obama can spin all he wants but he needs to address this problem -- and bloggers contorting the facts are not going to help him address a true deficit he has that he needs to confront if he has any chance of winning in November.

Just because he wins Oregon doesn't mean he dopesn't have a problem.

He does. I listen to what people say in private and my head isn't in the sand.


by GregNYC on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:03:08 PM EST

Bill clinton didn't win the white vote... (2.00 / 2)

in either election. we haven't won the white vote since LBJ. no wonder we care so much about Jews Blacks and Latinos!!


*&=4eva
by BlogSurrogate57 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:29:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bill clinton didn't win the white vote... (none / 0)

Bill Clinton did marginally win it.

No one else did and they all lost.

Hmmm...


by GregNYC on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:39:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Not true... (2.00 / 1)

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/5 /10/55744/4608/466/513113


*&=4eva
by BlogSurrogate57 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:47:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

No he didn't (none / 0)

He lost it to Bush in 1992 and Dole in 1996. Please do some research on the subject before posting again.


by Angry White Democrat on Tue May 20, 2008 at 05:22:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Again (2.00 / 1)

Except for white women over 50, Obama has done just fine with white voters. That's just a fact.


by Angry White Democrat on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:32:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Again (none / 0)

That's a huge block.

And he has done poorly with white men in many other places too - splitting the difference.

Just fine is not good enough.


by GregNYC on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:38:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Again (none / 0)

Dems always lose the white working class. They're generally Republicans. Luckily they're not our base.


John McCain on social security.
by heresjohnny on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:55:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Just fine is good enough (none / 0)

Al Gore got 39% of the white vote in 2000 and won the nationwide popular vote by half a million votes.


by Angry White Democrat on Tue May 20, 2008 at 05:20:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

what I never get is how you can compare primaries to general elections. Cuz ALL of the variables are different. If working class whites or whatever, choose Clinton over Obama in a primary, why is it assumed that Obama loses them if to McCain? The most logical choice would be your second favorite, the Democrat Obama. (It is a Democratic primary, afterall) Why would you go to your theoretically last choice, McCain?

Secondly, the people who are voting in the general are totally different than those who vote in the primaries. So again, I fail to see how primaries reveal anything other than who the party wants at the head of the ticket.


by Metrobot on Tue May 20, 2008 at 05:25:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

He's got this white working guys vote and rest of his family's vote from Michigan.


by GeeMan on Tue May 20, 2008 at 08:25:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

a different kind of poor (1.00 / 2)

"Obama will have notched another primary thanks to the broad support of whites, and pundits will be reminded that Obama did well with that demographic in Connecticut, Maryland, Missouri, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin."

Many points:

1. Clinton nearly won MO on the strength of the outstate vote.

  1. Connecticut has a yuppie-leaning Dem electorate.
  2. 1/3 of Maryland's Dem primary electorate is black, so Obama didn't need too many more whites to even win. I'd have to check if Clinton won white Dems in this state, though.
  3. Vermont is the Berkeley of the east.
  4. Virginia has a yuppie-leaning Dem electorate.
  5. Wisconsin has a history of progressivism dating back to the early 20th century (Clinton did win white Dems in this open primary); Oregon is probably that same progressive mold for whatever reason.

I get the impression that a lot of people moved to Oregon back in the late 70s and early 80s just to get out of rat race of earning more and more money, so to say that the median income is less should come with the caveat that some Oregonians prefer it that way.


Obama-Clinton: The New Glory of America
by Zeitgeist9000 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:05:02 PM EST

Re: a different kind of poor (2.00 / 1)

Is this a snark?


Matthew25Network.com
by cardboard 1 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:07:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: a different kind of poor (none / 0)

I only speak sarcastically when it's to the detriment of your candidate.


Obama-Clinton: The New Glory of America
by Zeitgeist9000 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:09:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: a different kind of poor (2.00 / 1)

then that is a whole slew of generalizations which ought not be made...kind of a pathetic comment


Matthew25Network.com
by cardboard 1 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:09:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: a different kind of poor (none / 0)

Which comment troubles you?


Obama-Clinton: The New Glory of America
by Zeitgeist9000 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:14:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: a different kind of poor (2.00 / 1)

The whole comment suggest that those folks you see as "yuppies" do not even count as white folks...not to mention the whole argument here, the Obama cannot when White votes, is ridiculous.  The whole conversation coming from the Clinton Campaign is so divorced from reality it is getting silly.


Matthew25Network.com
by cardboard 1 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:17:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: a different kind of poor (2.00 / 1)

are you serious?


I would say at this point we're starting to see a little desperation on the part of the woman who I support... NY Governor Paterson
by obamaovermccain on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:09:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: a different kind of poor (2.00 / 1)

And what is wrong with having a history of progressivism?

I'm sorry but only #3 is a valid point, but still could be said in a more constructive manner.

Please post less inf amatory remarks regarding Democrats...we are here TO ELECT DEMOCRATS!


Philly Liberal
by Airb330 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:17:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

play it up, barack play it up.


by alyssa chaos on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:07:32 PM EST

At least the guy is honest! (2.00 / 1)

CNN was interviewing voters in Kentucky this morning.  Asked what advice the obviously "hard working" 60ish gentleman had for the candidates:

To Hillary: Stop lying.

To Barack:  Stop being so black.

At least he was honest!  Why even try in Kentucky and West Virginia?  Lying?  That is a character flaw a person can overcome.  Skin pigmentation?  Not so much.  

   


by Rick in Eugene on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:10:14 PM EST

Re: At least the guy is honest! (none / 0)

The interviewed a West Virginia Voter who said -

"I'm going to vote for the colored guy," an 87-year old retired carpenter in the Napa Auto Parts hat pointed out. "I don't dislike her, but I don't think a woman can be president of the United States. I don't think she can handle the job."

Sometime choices are just that hard


Matthew25Network.com
by cardboard 1 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:15:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: At least the guy is honest! (none / 0)

Haha, this guy made me laugh. Who says "colored" anymore? Wow....anyway, glad he is voting for Obama!


Philly Liberal
by Airb330 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:18:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Dude, you shoulda heard the caller from Texas (none / 0)

(radio show, two people on air taking calls)
So they take a call of an elderly gentleman, and they ask
"are you voting for Hillary?"
And he's off on a rant, talking this and talking that, and finally he asks "Who's that N!gger running?"
And you could hear the pause as the two radiopeople looked at each other, realizing that they might have a crazy man on the show.
"You mean Barack Obama?"
"Yeah, I'ma vote for him"

Sad to say, some people are forgetful in their old age about language. But hey, I got a laugh out of it.


*&=4eva
by BlogSurrogate57 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:35:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (2.00 / 1)

It was Iowa when it changed. Not only did Obama win but Clinton was 3rd. He took a delegate lead that never left. So tonight we complete one of the circles. The wider circle of SD's is closing.
They will cue SD's between now and 6/3.
Kennedy should be the focus...the Iowa presence will speak for itself...
As an Edwards supporter, I too was not ready to realize how focused and ready Obama was. I am certainly aware now. To have a bi-racial man barely defeat a woman to become our candidate still has not really sunken in. January 2001 marked the beginning of perhaps the ugliest chapter in our nations history. January 2009 will in fact be a new dawn.
"harlequin speech of suicide, demanding instantaneous lobotomy"
by nogo postal on Tue May 20, 2008 at 04:11:07 PM EST

More statistics on Oregon (none / 0)

In Oregon, the median household income is $41,000, and 10 percent of households report annual income in excess of $100,000. Twenty-six percent of Oregon homes are valued in excess of $200,000.

Comparing by education achievement: 25 percent of Oregonians have college degrees; 17 percent of Kentuckians do.


Obama-Clinton: The New Glory of America
by Zeitgeist9000 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 05:49:08 PM EST

Chi Trib on KY (none / 0)

nice overview on KY by the ChiTribune:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/polit ics/chi-whites-obama-080520,0,7363123.st ory
!
by alex100 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 06:08:55 PM EST

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

oregon - poor, white???? come on! you need to break down where Obama wins and where he loses in Oregon. If he wins Oregon by winning the cities (Portland, Eugene), college towns (Corvallis) and silicon valley of the north (Willamette Valley) then this just strengthens the current argument against Obama.


by swissffun on Tue May 20, 2008 at 06:30:44 PM EST

Re: Why Tonight Matters For Obama (none / 0)

Sounds like a Hillary kind of argument. When Obama wins she really wins. And obviously when she wins that is her win also. I've been hearing that a lot lately from their camp. She tried that after NC as I recall. It amazing she isn't winning the nomination since she seems to be the one that makes the rules of what winning really is as she sees fit.


by GeeMan on Tue May 20, 2008 at 08:36:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]


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