"They won't vote for a black president, but they're not racists". Huh?

[Philosoraptor]

There's a union official on cnn who is trying to get union members to give up their racism and vote for Barack Obama, and he stated that there are some folks who refuse to vote for a black man, but he insisted that such folks are NOT racists. Is he right or wrong? Is he doing good with this campaign? Is he reaching out to the racists in his own way? Are they worth persuading? Can their minds be changed to vote for a black man for president?

What's with these people anyway?

[The Wielding Truth]

1. It's a duck. They are Racist! Face it ,buddy, the truth hurts!

[EFerrari]

2. That's called the official denial!

[DevonRex]

3. I just want to give you some hope here and a bit of personal perspective.

My in-laws, elderly NYers retired in Florida, had said they were "uncomfortable" with a black man in the White House. They insist they're not racist. I won't tell you all the racist stuff they said. After a bit of time, they learned more about McCain and were horrified at his life story and his proposals for health care and social security.

They're now voting for Obama. Yes, they were, and maybe still are, racist. But they had to confront the issue head on when they realized they couldn't vote for the white guy.

Perhaps that is what this guy is getting at and perhaps those are the types of voters he is going for.

[hakkinen]

15. I have a similar story.

My Husband's 82 year old grandmother has given me every indication over the years that she is racist. She isn't one of my favorite people. She lives in the same Michigan town as my in-laws and all of the rest of his family. They are all Republicans. My Husband has, and always will be her favorite grandchild. She doesn't really try to hide it. Well, he's been talking to her and they have been discussing politics. I know she really liked Mitt Romney. But last week she called him to tell him that she went and voted already, and she voted for Obama! She said McCain was going to mess with her Social Security. It restored my faith in humanity! I still can't believe it. My husband told her she better not tell his dad or his uncle, and she said "no way". I am still holding out hope for my Mother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law, but I'm afraid they may not be very independent thinking, but she did it! Voted for Obama!

I have heard these stories from so many of you and I finally got one of my own. It does happen!!!

[Raschel]

19. Racists can and will vote for Obama. It's comparable to

people who listen to Black music, even back in the sixties, who are bigots. Or people who like Tiger Woods (he's different) or go to Will Smith movies.

They'll still be bigots but they'll vote Obama if they like him or his platform.

[DevonRex]

28. I'm really psyched just thinking about how many people out there

might actually be learning that racism is wrong. We all know that most racists don't believe they're racist. They have to face the music this time. And maybe, just maybe, we will see a hugely positive effect of the Obama candidacy nad presidency.

[Raschel]

29. I share your sentiments! n/t

[DevonRex]

27. That's one of the untold truths of this election cycle. People are

being faced with their own racism and many are dealing with it in a positive way. It has been a kind of teaching tool for them. If the 2 candidates had both been bad, they might have gone ahead and just voted against the black guy. But when the choice is between a really awful white guy and a pretty darned good black candidate, they're doing the right thing. Even among our older population, racism is losing its hold.

I wonder how many people in the South are going to get in the voting booth and vote Obama. I'm from Mississippi originally, so I'm pretty curious about this. I also know that there are a lot of folks down there who would never come right out and say they're voting for a democrat, much less a black guy. But they're faced with the same decision as everybody else. Do they vote in their best interests or do they allow racism to force them to vote McCain? It will certainly be interesting to see how it turns out.

[av8rdave]

4. If you're not going to vote for someone, and your reason is their race, then you're racist!

[CottonBear]

5. Randi Rhodes says Obama's half white/half black so vote for the white half of him

if you have a problem with the black half. Problem solved!

The union official knows the people who won't vote for Obama probably are racists but he can't come out and say it with out offending the union members.

I live in the South and and from the South. Some of my own relatives swear they aren't racists but their very own actions say they are.

[shadowknows69]

6. Why is CNN even pushing this shit?

Haven't most union leaders come out for Obama? Why is it news how any of their various members want to vote?

[Caliman73]

7. Whenever you do something without a basis in evidence

It is usually the result of some "ism" if they are not voting for Barack because he is Black then there is no doubt it is the result of racism. A person can have ideological reasons for voting against Barack, but the statement given by the union official without any other information is on its face a racist reason not to vote for a candidate.

[pitohui]

8. clearly they're racists but the guy is trying to be tactful

he isn't going to change many minds by saying, knock off the crap, you racist boob

i don't know if he will change any minds anyway, but i can understand why he is going for the little white lie

there's time enough to chew out the racist boobs for being racist boobs if we get stuck w. a mccain presidency and an unending greater depression

[Regret My New Name]

9. hah... if your sole reason for not voting for someone is based on their skin color, then that makes

you what you are...

...and what you are is a racist. I don't see how it could be anything else. Now, if you're basing your vote on other things than skin color, then that obviously different.... You're just probably just stupid... ;)

[youthere]

10. You know, that's interesting...

And I feel like an ass for repeating this but: One of my neighbors and I were discussing the election. He and his wife have never voted, and have never cared about politics, butthey are extremely unhappy about the way the country has been going and they HATE Bush. So of course I used it as an opportunity to politic for Obama. His response to me was "I really like him but I hope he doesn't win, I know I can't vote for him". When I asked why (actually it was more of WTF??) He said "Because if he wins, he's going to get shot, and I couldn't live with myself if I voted for him and that happened." WTF? I repeat WTF?
Now how's that for the DUMBEST LOGIC EVER?

[Regret My New Name]

11. That is some screwy logic....

Although, the secret service sure is gonna be busy once Obama becomes president... Of course Obama probably knows and understands the risks and he is clearly willing to take to it... Hopefully I'm wrong though, and the extreme right-wing fundies won't freak out too much...

[SpookyCat]

20. I've heard that fear expressed too...

I registered someone in Nevada who said that she will vote for Obama but that she's afraid he'll be shot. She was just so matter of fact about it, it was weird. But not voting for him to PROTECT him? That takes the cake...as they say....

I don't let my mind go there. It's too much and too horrid.

[rucky]

21. My BIL said the same thing.

and i replied: Obama knows of this possiblity better than anyone, and he's not sweating it, so why should you?

[Jack Rabbit]

12. Well, he's wrong

However, he doesn't want to go on national television and call his members racists. That will assure he gets nowhere.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

13. yes ofcourse they are racist. there are diff degrees of racism though

and some people feel unless you are running around trying to lynch black people you arent racist

[Freddie Stubbs]

16. There is a difference between being prejudiced and racist

There is little hope for racists, but those who are prejudiced are persuadable.

It has been my experienced that many prejudiced people just haven't had enough positive interactions with the people whom they are prejudiced against.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

17. if you believe you cannot vote for a person due to their race, its racism

racism is by definition, prejudice based on race

[noiretextatique]

14. they are racists

simple.

[Brewman_Jax]

18. To the majority, racists look like this...

or



but most look like this:




your everyday person on the street, who could be your neighbor, or co-worker, or anybody.

[TCJ70]

22. It's flawed logic to assume...

...that everyone who is not voting for Obama is a racist. The people who say, "I won't vote for a black man." are indeed racists, but not everyone who doesn't vote for Obama is a racist.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

23. Voting for John McCain is in itself an act of racism.

:shrug:

[dkofos]

24. No one wants to think themselves a racist, But refusing to vote for the BLACK GUY

makes you one.

[BoneDaddy]

25. Give the guy a break

he is making a political move within the Union by trying to do the right thing by pushing an Obama vote without alienating the union members. And yes they are racists but to condemn them publically may mean that he does not get the votes he needs to keep his position. The stark reality is we need Obama supporters in those positions to keep the union members apprised of the correct choice for them. This is problem with many liberals in that they expect a deep evolution of thought among the common American, who, like us all is filled with their own bias'.

[dorkulon]

26. Of course they are racists, but it probably doesn't help persuade them

to call them that. I think that's the logic there.

[Soup Bean]

30. Refusing to vote for an intelligent man, because he is black, is rascism. n/t

[old mark]

33. Absolutely. Obama is so far above the Republican candidates

in intelligence and background, they are not even in the same league. Those who are voting against him because he is a mixed race person are racists, pure and simple.
They just don't want to admit it.

mark

[Swamp Rat]

31. crazy

:crazy:

[Philosoraptor]

32. ................