USA Today: Candidate can't win state Obama carried because he's... African-American

[kpete]

USA Today's Page: Candidate can't win state Obama carried because he's... African-American

April 20, 2010 4:23 pm ET by Karl Frisch

File this one under half-baked political analysis.

USA Today's Susan Page rattles off a number of reasons she thinks Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL) is a "weak" U.S. Senate candidate in Florida including the fact that he's... an African-American.

From the April 19, 2010 edition of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews:

"He's an African-American. We know it's hard -- although not impossible -- for African-Americans to win statewide.

Video & more:
http://mediamatters.org/blog/201004200042

[Cirque du So-What]

1. Fucking Matthews...

sways in the slightest of political breezes, doesn't he? Hardly surprising, then, that he dutifully polly-parrots this screed from the flagship publication of Gannett fishwrap. I don't even call him 'Tweety'; it's a cutesy-poo nickname that fans of his wishy-washy meanderings can use if they wish, but I find nothing cute or amusing about another talking head who carries water for the fucking repugs. If he's a Democrat, my dog is the Sultan of Brunei!

[peekaloo]

2. I read this in the comments about "Tweety":

"The guy politically switch-hits more than a bisexual at a Caligulan bacchanal."

although the author thinks he's a "true independent"...it made me guffaw.

[Cirque du So-What]

4. More like 'true ADHD sufferer'

He's easily attracted by whatever shiny political object crosses his field of vision.

[Dr Morbius]

3. I don't know about Florida or Mr. Meek. I do know about Mr. Obama.

And he's an exceptional politician. A phenomenon, a rock star. So, I don't necessarily think the fact Obama carried a given state can be held to really mean anything in terms of progress in racial equality in politics. I don't recall who it was, but there's a famous quote from a famous woman which goes something like, "I won't be satisfied because an exceptional woman can be at the top, but when a female schlemiel can rise to the same level as a male schlemiel." I mean, we'll know much more about progress in race in politics when a lesser luminary of color can also win.

I hope Mr. Meek wins, though. I don't mean to degrade him; seems a decent sort. He's just not Barack Obama.