Did race play a role in Blanco's win?

[_Jumper_]

It does not appear race played a role in Blanco's win. I have heard some state that Jindal received the amount of votes Republican statewide candidates usually receive. Am I wrong, though? If race did not play a role in this election in a Deep South state, what does this say about the level of racism in America? How can the people almost elect an Indian governor and then call an Indian that works at the local 7-11 a "raghead" or "camel jockey"? What this dichotomy?

[Syrinx]

1. the Indian lost

Do I misunderstand your question?

ON EDIT: Yes, I did. I missed "almost." But, what?

[cjm2222]

2. I think it did

I think race did play a role. I believe people will tell pollsters one thing, but do another in the voting booth. In the end, some people in LA just did not want a non-white governor. I think if Jindal had been a democrat and Blanco a republican, Blanco would have won.

[IronLionZion]

3. Louisiana has always been more progressive

than the rest of the deep South. African-Americans were not treated as badly there as in Mississippi or Alabama.

Remember that Blanco is a minority too. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco is a Cajun woman.

I was rooting for Jindal because I'm Indian too, but Blanco is good.

[_Jumper_]

5. What is a Cajun?

?

Anyway, surely that does not hurt a candidate more than having a different skin color. The average voter probably considered Jindal a "raghead".

I am South Asian and his showing has partly restored my faith in America, but I am glad he lost.

[Classical_Liberal]

7. They immigrated from Acadia (French Canada) in the 1700s

and were viewed like native hispanics in the southwest, owing to their previous affiliations with France, and their Catholicism.

[ronzo]

16. A Cajun is a rural denizen of Southwest/Central Louisiana....

As with any other group, overgeneralized.

[_Jumper_]

19. TY ronzoNOLA and ClassicalLiberal

n/t

[Shakespeare]

32. Is that your definition of a Cajun?

I'm not sure I understand your post. If you're saying that all rural citizens of SW/central Louisiana are Cajuns, then you're overgeneralizing (but I can't tell if you're quoting that definition as an example of overgeneralizing).

Cajuns have a very distinct ethnicity (coming from the Acadiana background), and not all rural Louisianans from that part of the state are Cajuns (I know this because a large portion of my family lives in rural areas of this part of the state; about 3/4 of them aren't Cajuns, but a few cousins on my mom's side are Cajuns).

[democratreformed]

10. Where are you from Independent?

In my frequent forays into Louisiana, I haven't seen what you say is true.

[prolesunited]

33. You were rooting for a Republican to win?

You sure you're in the right place? :shrug:

[Isome]

38. Who told you that, because I've heard the opposite from a native? n/t

[Classical_Liberal]

4. He was an Indian Alan Keyes

I am glad he lost.

[_Jumper_]

6. Why should Indians be Democrats?

They are wealthy and socially conservative. Why expect them to select their party affiliation differently than rich European-Americans?

[Classical_Liberal]

8. Never said they should

I just don't want repukes to win, because they are rich and biased toward the rich and socially conservative. IF they are those two things they can eat shit black, white, or Indian, and I don't discriminate.

They should consider it for the same reason the arab muslims they are confused with probably will.

[_Jumper_]

12. I agree

However, we must concede that the DP is only marginally more tolerant. What has the DP done to combat racism against Arabs and perceived Arabs?

[Classical_Liberal]

17. Very little

Harkin and Kennedy went after Pipes, but almost all voted for the patriot act. They won't either, atleast not until brown people funnel as much money into their campaigns as aipac.

[fujiyama]

29. ANYONE voting republican

is a fool, regardless of their race or income level.

Yes, even rich republicans are dumb and here's why:

The GOP has shown itself to be a party of irresponsible fools, spending money left and right. This is a sign of fiscal irresponsibility, not fiscal conservatism. If debts pile up, interest rates rise, and people don't buy as much. Therefore in the long run it's bad for the rich to vote republican as well.

Hey if we look at it, the rich did extremely well during the Clinton years. The disparity between the rich and the poor still widened, though, many blacks and working class people had it better as well.

Rich Indians that vote republican are also stupid on another level -- which is the GOP's cold war mentality and closeness with the military regime in Pakistan. Clinton did the best job any president has done (albeit a bit late in his career) in bringing closer relations between the US and India. He also showed a willingness to help in whatever way is welcomed, to help settle the border dispute.

Republicans on the other hand will use India, Pakistan, and any other nation for that matter in extremely cynical ways. First off, they have a pipeline that needs to be constructed and the perfect port city to route that through is Karachi. Next they will keep donating billions of dollars in military aid to Pakistan, while that country sponsors terror against India. More democratic senators are understanding of democracy and the real threat of Islamic terrorism, than are republicans, which somehow believe that Iraq is the center of all terrorism in the world.

Oh and let's not forgot that the GOP is the party of Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell. Most Hindus (and Muslims, and Christians as well from India) should be disgusted at such hatred and bigotry. Indians here should understand that religious fanaticism is disgusting by any religion, because the country they have emmigrated from has experienced such trouble, because of politicians exploiting religious tensions. Also, if any Hindu has heard Pat Robertson, I'd wonder how they'd consider staying in the party. Robertson claims that all non Christians and Jews shouldn't be able to practice their religion in this nation.

Finaly, Jindal is nothing but an opportunistic Uncle Tom of sorts. He doesn't represent anyone but wealthy white males. There is even some talk that he converted to Christianity early on because of political aspirations and how no Hindu would ever win in the South. And even if he did convert sincerely he's still a religious whacko. How does that realy help any Indians in any meaningful way?

Also, it is true Indians have a great work ethic. They have a lot of emphasis on education. That's all great, and all the more reason to vote democratic, because republicans love cutting funds in education, as they do in everything else (except defense and military aid for corrupt dictators the world over).

Yes, Indian-American republicans are dumb. Very dumb, but about as dumb as black republicans or white republicans, or hispanic republicans, or republicans of any race or ethnicity.

[loudnclear]

21. They are not only wealthy but one of the most racist and classist

group of people on the earth. Study their history. Most of the one migrating to America were from the sects that discriminated the most in India.

[Classical_Liberal]

22. Most of the Indians I meet are liberals

so I don't know whether this is true.

[KFC]

23. Remember the Caste System?

Untouchables?

Hardly progressive.

[Classical_Liberal]

25. Catholicism is hardly progressive either. For that matter

neither is Orthodox Judaism, but these two groups in practice are liberal, so let's not jump to conclusions that because a minority behaves a certain way in their homeland that they behave that way here in all cases. People who come to America to a certain degree probably come because they prefer American values to their home country.

[_Jumper_]

24. The first generation is

The second generation is assimilated and has the values of their community (I am talking about their city, state, etc.). An Indian suburban kid acts like the typical suburban kid.The typical Indian inner-city kid acts like the typical inner-city kid.

So, if you think Indians are racist and classist which groups do you think are the least racist and classist?

[fujiyama]

30. Why don't you replace

Indian with hispanic, or Chinese, or black? Doesn't sound that great right. Yes India has its problems, but it's amazing how stereotyping certain people is very easy.

BTW I'm "Indian American" (I hate hyphenated nationalities), born in India, but growing up here. Neither me, nor my parents are anything as you have mentioned (and we come from a "higher" caste). We are all democratic and don't find anything appealing about any type of religious extremist.

[SahaleArm]

34. The worst kind of hypocrites.

Most Americans never see the world outside their own country.

[Some Moran]

35. BULLSHIT!

One of the most progressive people I know is a fucking Brahmin!

[fujiyama]

31. LOL

the best way to put it. He may have spoken elequently, but he was still a religious whacko.

Just because he converted doesn't mean he's any less of a raving fundamentalist. Plus, I never actually read any detailed accounts about his tenure on that medicare board, but the little I did read were not very impressive, and it sounds like it realy screwed people over.

[Maddy McCall]

9. What about gender? If she had lost, would you be asking if gender...

played a role in her loss?

[_Jumper_]

15. There are several female senators and governors

How many minority senators and governors are there? Race trumps gender at the voting booth apparently, although it doesn't in the workplace.

[meg]

11. Pity the bigots who had to choose between a person

of color and a woman!

[Maddy McCall]

14. LOL!

They chose the best, regardless. :party:

[burr]

13. Certainly...

and this is not something to be proud of.

Some of the women who voted overwhelmingly for Blanco did so with a sterotype that an Indian-born male could be dangerous to have as Governor after 9/11. However, if anyone is responsible for spreading this myth that helped elect Blanco..it is the repukes. It is our role to calm this frenzy, and to kill ethnic sterotypes..because what may help us in Lousiana has hurt us in Mississippi. Uncontrolled lies burn us all, especially for a party which depends on diversity as its strength. :grouphug:

[1songbird]

18. I think race did play a part in this, but not because Jinhdal

was Indian. I think blacks came out in mass to vote against him. For those that don't know Jihndal worked on a commission that tried to eliminate all of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities in LA. That was a mistake because those colleges are a source of great pride for Louisiana. My father-in-law who votes with the Repugs crossed party lines to vote against him because of this.

[doubles]

26. I would like to see some info on Jindal's commission on black colleges. nt

[Hippo_Tron]

28. I actually considered voting for Jindal...

Randy Ewing was my first choice and when he lost I guess I thought about following Ray Nagin and supporting Jindal. Then I started to read about some of the stuff he did, just completely sickened me. He's a stereotypical Republican who won't admit it. Blanco's definatley not my favorite person but I'd much rather her than Jindal, plus her victory was a big victory for dems in general.

[WillyBrandt]

20. If the bigots shot themselves in the foot

that's their problem.

If we do not foment racism, or make any (even marginally) implicit appeal to racism, but act AGAINST it, then we have nothing to feel bad about.

I remind folks that Jimmy Carter won the Govship of GA by appealing--often in not so liberal ways--to the white racists of his state. And on election day, and thereafter, he came out unabashedly in favor of civil rights and racial progress.

[kcr]

27. Without exit polls, I cannot be sure

but I am hearing that Jindal did better in "David Duke" parishes than the other white Republican candidates who also lost today.

[Arbustosux]

36. Why didn't Bush campaign there for Jindal as aggressively as he did in KY

and MS?

[_Jumper_]

37. 2002

I heard Bush and co. intervened heavily in the 2002 senate race in LA and it backfired, so they stayed away this time.