Sen. Jim Webb, often spoken of as a potential Obama running mate, offered this explanation for why many working-class white Democrats have been reluctant to vote for Obama:
"We shouldn't be surprised at the way they are voting right now," said Webb in an interview with MSNBC. "This is the result of how affirmative action, which was basically a justifiable concept when it applied to African-Americans, expanded to every single ethnic group in America that was not white. And these were the people who had not received benefits and were not getting anything out of it."
I think there's a lot of truth in that. The idea that the Ivy-educated Michelle Obama, who makes a hefty six-figure income off the scammy diversity industry, has the nerve to complain about how unfair life is, rubs some people the wrong way. I was having beers with some conservative friends yesterday. One of them said that one thing he likes about the prospect of an Obama presidency is that Obama could move the country past the affirmative action entitlement mentality. I used to think that, but then realized that Obama supports affirmative action 100 percent.
Racial discrimination is racial discrimination, and it's wrong, period. So say I. It is not hard to figure out why it rubs a working-class white guy the wrong way to think that Barack and Michelle Obama's two children, despite their uncommonly privileged upbringing, stand to benefit from the racial spoils system, simply because of the color of their skin, but the poor or working-class white kid who grows up in a trailer park gets no such special consideration, and may even be denied employment, simply because of the color of his skin.
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Although I currently prefer Obama, affirmative action is a sore point with me because it promotes and prolongs racism. An affirmative action type program is needed, but it should be available to the economically disadvantaged of any race. Individual achievement, drive and ability should always be the deciding factor for a college board or an employer.
Obama is missing a tremendous opportunity to transcend racial barriers. He has said that he wants to work for an America that is not blue, or red, or black, white, brown, yellow. He has said that we are all one. It would be an impressive step if he would work to eliminate any mention of race on job and school applications.
Quinn: Last time I looked Clinton was still a Democrat.
You are quite right. I guess I didn't explain my point very well. The question is, what percentage of black voters are voting for Obama because he is half black? It is not necessarily 90%. Some blacks are voting for Obama on the basis that they think he is a better presidential candidate. And some people, whether white or black are voting for a variety of reasons, including race.
MSNBC has a site with exit polls. I only looked at NC because there was a substantial black population in that primary. Of the whites who said race was a factor, 62% voted for Clinton. Of the whites who said race was not a factor, 61% voted for Clinton. Of the blacks who said race was a factor, 92% voted for Obama. Of the blacks who said race was not a factor 90% voted for Obama. Quite frankly, what does any of that mean? I don't think anyone can really tell what percentage of whites or blacks are voting on the basis of race.
Many blacks supported HRC over Obama at the beginning of this campaign. I don't remember the figures, but Obama was not getting any where near 90% support among blacks. Now, they didn't change their support because they suddenly found out that Obama is black. They changed it for other reasons. So, I don't think you can say that black or white support of a candidate is solely on the basis of race.
gmo2:"So, I don't think you can say that black or white support of a candidate is solely on the basis of race."
I'm not saying that, I'm saying that it is somehow okay to paint the 30-60% who vote for Clinton as racist but not the 90% of blacks voting for Obama. It seems impossible for the MSM to believe that some voters simply like Clinton better. I have never thought Obama's racial background is the problem. I think some voters see him as just another man in a suit who looks down on them, lectures them, and proceeds to make their already difficult lives more difficult. That being said, I think that affirmative action has become increasingly unfair and divisive. If Obama backs continuing it, he will lose a lot more than this voting segment.
I am a single, white, working class, non-custodial, male, parent.
I made child support payments on my own for 5 years until the Government stepped in and garnished my paychecks. This made me homeless and out of work.
I went to a job support center and asked for help getting a higher paying job or at least help affording training. The lady who helped me told me she would look into it and call me back. When she did she told me that if I was female and/or a minority then there was help for me but since I was not there was no help.
Where I live most of the help wanted ads say hiring bilingual. We all know this means Spanish speaking. So the Latinos get the jobs and the blacks get the affirmative action loophole.
My son and his mother are the true victims for not being born a minority
My mother went to the Department Of Motor Vehicles and could not understand the Latino lady working because her English was so bad. The lady got angry at my mother and her picture for the license was lost and she had to go get it retaken.
We need One language here in America vand we need to have equality for everyone.
Including single white noncustodial male parents.
why do ppl always say that everytime a black person is let into a college because of affirmative action, they didn't have as good of grades as the white ppl who were rejected. it is realy sad that some white working class can't get help but i got news for you. 1. colleges don't accept all the black ppl that apply. they pick out the ones with the best grades. 2. SOME white ppl are not as smart as SOME black ppl. that is just a fact.3.just because you are a black minority does not mean that you will get govetnment help.
stop trying to squeeze everyone in this little box and blame other ppl for your problems.life has its problems. if you get rejected at one place try somewhere else, stop waiting for like to be handed to you on a silver plater.
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