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February 07, 2008
Perspective
We were listening to MSNBC last night, and they were discussing patterns in the Super Tuesday voting. We usually watch parts of Tweety and all of Countdown, and I don't recall exactly which two talking heads were on at that moment, but the two white men who were speaking were very excited that Obama had gotten a couple points more among white men than Clinton had.
Now I'm impressed and happy that there seems to be so little of a racist effect among white Democratic voters. But the excitement they expressed was over the top. "Democrats have had such a terrible time attracting white men!" they said. "It looks like Obama will have a better chance attracting them this time!"
The problem here is two-fold. First, they showed no evidence that Obama had brought more white men into the Democratic fold. Young people, yes, black voters, yes, but no sign that more of those all-important white men were flocking to the Dems because of Obama.
The silliest bit, though, was the excitement that white men were voting for Democrats! Wow! It's a Democratic primary, stupid people. Everyone who votes is going to vote for a Democrat (unless they're uncommitted, but even then they're Democrats).
I would like to think that, if Obama is the candidate, he can make some of those Southern states competitive for Democrats again. But I doubt it. No way is he going to reach the core of the Republican party, nor will Hillary.
A two-point advantage in a Democratic primary is not a world-changing advantage. And the pundits need to get some perspective when they discuss these things (but I won't hold my breath).
Posted by jnfr at February 7, 2008 08:54 AM