The Colors of a Changing Political Prism
Posted: Monday, April 28, 2008
by Joseph Collins
Publisher / Columnist for Double Impact magazine
Pennsylvania, Texas and Ohio have voted, Hillary is still clinging to strands of presidential hope and the American media is back to having nothing to do. So instead of focusing on real stories like our troops in harm's way, they propagate stories about a weary Obama who can't seem to win white rural voters. Despite Obama's wins in Iowa, Montana, Idaho and a host of other states with similar profiles, this silly story continues to have legs. The truth of the matter is: Barack Obama is going to win the vast majority of these democrats in the general election. The reason is really remarkably simple.
I believe this story represents the pathway many older, rural white democrats are going to travel as we move from the primaries into the general election. Right now, people voting in the democratic primary have a choice between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. With those choices, older, less educated rural Americans who have never voted for a black candidate for any office whatsoever find it easy to vote for Hillary. The choice will be different in the general election.
Like the African American who traveled to Africa and came home with a changed attitude, many older rural voters will go into the general election with Barack Obama and John McCain as their choices. When they do, they will quickly and abruptly remember why they are democrats. They will remember the devastation of the Great Depression. They will remember Hoover and the New Deal. Many of them fought in World War II and lost friends and loved ones. They will re-imagine the Civil Rights struggle playing out on TV and in their communities. They will remember Nixon and Vietnam. They will fondly remember John Kennedy. These people are life-long liberals who made the choice to become democrats and reject republicanism when there were no black candidates running. They are democrats for some very deep personal reasons and they will discover they have much more in common with Barack Obama than they do John McCain.
Polls show (correctly) about 30% of blue collar rural voters in Pennsylvania , Texas and Ohio will not be able get past race and will either stay home on election day or cross party lines. However, 70% will spend some time in deep reflection considering who they are and what is really important to this country. When they do, they will go into that election booth, take a deep breath and vote for the candidate that best represents their ideals and hopes for America . That candidate will be Barack Obama.
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Top-level comments on this article: (8 total)Wonderful article, Joseph. Sad but true. I too am a southern rural voter, but I have to agree with you about the majority of the older rural voters. I hope when we finally get to the polls we will be ready to make the decision that will be the best for our country and our fellow countrymen and all the bad-taste from all the mud-slinging will be behind us. Thanks for a great article. Sandra.Sandra, Thanks for commenting! Alot of people in this country have been waiting for a reason to change and I believe this election cycle has given them permission to do so. Barack Obama is just a small part of a much bigger scenario that is playing out in America's story. The real story is that people have the privilege to consider issues they never dreamed would take place in their lives. However, they need to look forward to see the blessing of inclusion instead of looking back and remembering the curse of division. That's important for blacks, whites, liberals, conservatives, rich, poor and everyone in between. This is one of those times that God leans forward in His throne waiting to see what we are going to do. Have a great week, Sandra!
Enjoyed reading your article Joe. You know call it mental telepathy or whatever but I was just thinking about you last night. Where have you been?Hi Joe, Obama seems to be riding a wave of new consciousness in this country. But it's a crap shoot whether the wave will gather enough momentum this election cycle, but look out for the next! It will be unstoppable. It's all about understanding and love, honesty and integrity -- strange, courageous terms that have almost been forgotten lately. Best...........eRaymond, Thanks for commenting! Somehow these threads got mixed up but hopefully it will get corrected. I agree - there is a new consciousness in this country and it is producing a new generation that is making a break from the past. It is more than just black and white. People are also tired of conservatives pretending to have a lock on morality, liberals pretending to be above greed and older people equating years of experience with good judgment. We all have something to learn from this. Have a great week, Raymond!David, thanks for commenting and thinking about me! As you know, life gets busy and opportunities change. Since our last electronic exchange, I have accepted the call to the ministry. I now serve as a part-time associate minister and hope to go full time in the near future. Still working in business and technology (what a mess!) and serving on a non-profit board. Hope all is well in your world, David!
I've missed your political commentaries. Excellent writing and an interesting analogy. Welcome again! Blessings, my friend. -AvisAvis, thanks once again for your blessings and encouragement! I have high hopes for this election. I believe that despite Hillary's attempts to "burn down the village" if she doesn't get the nomination and the media's inability to accept Barack's inevitability, we will get through this as a nation. "All things work together for the good, to those who love God and are the called according to His purpose!" Be blessed sister!
I always like your writing but and there is a but in my opinion. When we look at their records, what they are for, what they have done and what they have failed to do, who they are [a part of the same crowd, the same ideology the same goals they themselves say are not good] then why, when they do not ever address the real issues of poor and average citizens of any race or religion in this nation do people still cling to them as hope? Is it that is all we have left? Roosevelt is a far cry from this bunch. They have brought this upon us all and what they have rendered in my opinion can develop into if not already at the brink far worst then even the depression. In my opinion they have plundered a nation and a people. Good people maybe but this is about leadership. Good people do not always make good leaders and we certainly know how many are bad we already have all the way around. Regardless of President more of the same. Now if you are for what they are doing you are in my opinion part of the problem. Now just to use one example of many, 31% or more interest on Credit Cards. If you cannot see that as usury then no more talk is necessary. In my opinion you have, regardless of who anyone professess to be, shown who you are. Best wishes. Respectfully.Robert, Thanks for commenting! Not sure where you were going with all of that but what really jumped off the electronic page for me was your comments about good people and leadership. I for one am tired of the paranoid, the narcissistic, the sexually immoral and dry drunks with supposed leadership skills winning the White House and then soiling the highest office in the land. I'll take Jimmy Carter or the first George Bush all over again if it means getting someone with morals and integrity back in office. These two may not be regarded as good leaders but at least we knew what we were getting. I am hoping we get both good character and good leadership in our next president. It can happen if the electorate does its job. Have a good week, Robert!I watched Obama on Meet the Press this morning. I really appreciated him talking about this "gas-tax" holiday that the other candidates support. He laid out a very good case for why it would be a mistake and in doing so showed why he is not just part of the same crowd the other two candidates are in. I don't know how anyone could have seen the show and not say that he appears completely credible and capable. ...not always giving the easy answer, but giving answers which make sense. Let's hope the media focuses on some real stories this week.
I enjoyed your article. I just can't see how anyone can be in contention for the white house without a stamp of approval from the political machine behind it all. In other words the REAL Billionaire Boys Club. Keep On Keepin' On!!Ken, Thanks for commenting! You are right - the political machine will make the decision. As we speak, the democratic elite are emailing one another, calling one another, meeting for long dinners behind closed doors. There is much more activity going on than meets the public eye. I expect the remaining superdelegates to get off the fence and make their choices soon. The bloodletting has to stop! Have a good week!
Joseph, Thank you for a fair-minded, reasonable, mainstream approach to dealing with the candidacy of Barack Obama. You are right, most voters are sick and tired of the politics of the past and the effect it has had on our economy and our standing in the world. If rural voters want a better future, they along with other Americans better get on board this train!James, Thanks for commenting! When George Bush ran for president eight years ago, America had been lulled to sleep. We assumed that we didn't have to think very much and could half-heartedly participate. The entire world has seen how big a mistake that was. We know better now. If we want a better country, we are going to have to work hard, dig deep and get out of our comfort zones. Most of all, we need to pick a candidate with character and integrity. Unfortunately, we could be on the verge of making a mistake again. Within the Democratic party, the superdelegates are faced with choosing between "character" and "electability". Character seems to mean refraining from destroying your opponent, even while being mercilessly attacked. Electability seems to mean being a brawler with no limits and no regard for the future of the party. I hope we don't make the same mistake again.
Yes, Clinton's campaign represents the "Karl Rove" mentality. It would be unfortunate to bring that kind of divisiveness and bullying to the national election against "McBushenomics." Thanks again.James, You are right about the divisiveness. We don't need it and I believe the superdelegates are preparing to send Hillary a message about who is the future of the party and who is not. Thanks for commenting and all of your support. Have a great week!
what a breath of fresh air coming in.. oddly enough, i really don't see Obama so much as being 'black' or even representative of the majority of African Americans. Alot of my African American friends are voting for Hillary. i'm really hoping for a win for him, for us. and i do see your point in affiliating his candidacy, with 'The Colors of a Changing Political Prism.' with that in mind, i would really love to see Bill Cosby running for president. Now there is a man who i feel does address many issues regarding African Americans in this country. i would vote for him in a heartbeat. his win would mark a critically important step in American history. in fact, it is critical that the democrats win this election, regardless. thank you for involving us in such an interesting discussion. Best, jenniferJennifer, Thanks for commenting! This week really showed how human Barack Obama is. For so long, he seemed superhuman. Now we know he can get angry, emotional, hurt and disappointed. It is my prayer that he gets beyond this dark period, re-emerges with a smile and moves on to the general election with nomination in hand. Maybe he will ask Bill Cosby to be his VP! Just kidding! Have a good week!
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