The journey from there to here
Published on March 29, 2007 By Gideon MacLeish In Politics

As we begin working towards the 2008 primaries, attention has focused almost exclusively on Barak Obama and Hillary Cklinton, the media darlings of the DNC. While Obama's star might not fade, I believe I can say without exception that Hillary Clinton will not win the Democratic Party's nomination in 2008.

The reason why can be found with a close scrutiny of most major news sources: Barak Obama is a member of an untouchable minority, Hillary Clinton is not.

Don't believe me? Walk into a comedy club on amateur night (assuming you're white). Tell a black joke. Now, tell a blonde joke or a ditzy woman joke. See which one gets the most boos. Unless you happen to be in a lesbian bar, or have an audience full of the Aryan brotherhood, it's almost certain to be the black joke. Because we've been so manipulated by "white guilt" that to even make an ethnic joke in that direction is taboo, and almost certainly carries with it the brand of being a racist.

As for misogynist, or male chauvinist pig, those labels don't carry the same sting. I can't think of many double murderers that got off because their accuser was blamed for being a misogynist. Or of child molestors that got a pass because the prosecution was chauvinistic. It may not be fair, it may not be right, but reality's reality: we will do more to protect our ethnic minorities than we will to protect females. Partly because we remain a pretty patriarchal society, despite attempts to push us in other directions. I'm not saying that's right or as it should be, I'm just saying that's the way things are.

When the battle gets heated, attempts to portray Hillary as a shrill witch won't meet with a whole lot of protest, except in an almost certain Gloria Allred appearance on the View. But try to portray Obama as anything but a patriot, and you risk offending a lot of blacks. Maybe not Jesse Jackson or AL Sharpton, but certainly many of the working class who are tired of a white male power structure in this country.

Hillary Clinton could be the best presidential candidate in the country (my opinion, she's actually somewhere between Howdy Doody and Brittney Spears on the list of abilities to be president...but I digress), but even if she were the perfect candidate, she is unlikely to overcome the burden of being representative of a "less favored" minority than her opponent.


Comments
on Mar 29, 2007
Good points all, although I don't think you should insult Ms. Spears or Howdy Doody by including Mrs. Clinton with them. I think Ms. Spears would make a much better and stable president than Mrs. Clinton.
on Mar 29, 2007
The LA Times calls Obama the "Magic negro". Supposedly because he has not gone through the "fight" like Jackson or Sharpton, and he is the way for the "Guilty White" to assauge their guilt.

While I disagree with most of his stands, and probably will not vote for him, I resent what the LA Times is saying. Why? Cause he seems like a nice guy! That most people would not mind going fishing with. And if he wins, it will be for that reason, not some imaginary guilt.

As for Hillary - she may win the nomination. But she has already lost the general election as already 50% will NOT vote for her.
on Mar 29, 2007
I like Obama. I could vote for him, I think, in good conscience.

I could not, however, for our dear sweet Ms. Clinton.

Most of the registered Democrats I've spoken to (granted, we're few and very far between here in Utah) agree with me.
on Mar 29, 2007

I don't so much care why, just that she doesn't.

But really, the reason she won't win was all detailed in South Park, originally aired 3-28-2007, "The Snuke"   

on Mar 29, 2007
you, really think being Black means, being part of an untouchable minority? Um... oh, that you could be Black for a day.
on Mar 30, 2007
you, really think being Black means, being part of an untouchable minority?


Not from a "man on the street" position, ennarath. There, you're right. From a media position. That's entirely different.

What I am saying is that if the Hillary camp comes after Obama in the wrong way, they will lose, and BADLY. Look at how many people have lost their jobs for racially insensitive comments because they were in the limelight. If Obama's camp comes after Hillary's camp in the same way, it will not affect them as hard.

You do have a very valid point, though, ennarath...one that may guide voters when they close the door on the voting booths. But as far as the media attacks go, a lot more with Hillary is fair game than with Obama.