UPDATE: Apparently McCain manages to still hold on to that important evil mastermind vote – not everything is lost then…
If you thought it couldn’t get any worse for McCain, it sort of did – McCain is apparently losing that important racist vote: it’s not really a story here, since I don’t see any statistics, but for all it’s worth:
Ben Smith: An Obama supporter, who canvassed for the candidate in the working-class, white Philadelphia neighborhood of Fishtown recently, sends over an account that, in various forms, I’ve heard a lot in recent weeks.
“What’s crazy is this,” he writes. “I was blown away by the outright racism, but these folks are f***ing undecided. They would call him a n—-r and mention how they don’t know what to do because of the economy.”
Seriously, what is happening here? If you can’t even count on the racists not to vote for the black candidate, then there is no certainty whatsoever! What’s next? Jews in Florida voting for Pat Buchanan?
In related news, are you an elitist?
Perverse Egalitarianism 
I know what a strap-on is. This makes me an elitist, but in a good way I think.
Don’t kid yourself, Shahar, you’re that type of elitist that people distinguish themselves from by using the expression “elitist in a good way”…
I’m such an elitist. What with my strap on. Of which I carry around with me in my NPR tote bag.
This sounds as plausible as the rumor that Michelle Obama said “whitey.” Blacks don’t say whitey, and whites don’t say the n-word, certainly not in front of earnest campaign workers. Only the truly sheltered, or unfamiliar with the US, would believe that. Without meaning any offense to the owners of this fine blog, of course.
Unfortunately, white Americans say the n-word plenty and there is a large number of racist yokels out here – and campaign workers are just volunteers who go from house to house… I wish you were right though, I really do.
So when this happens in your presence, you stand up and say that’s wrong, and get into lots of fights, right? On a regular basis? Again, I don’t believe it, and nobody over the age of 14 has ever said the n-word within my earshot.
You live in a better America then, to say that because you don’t see or hear racism means it doesn’t exist is strange though – is fighting those who say things you disagree with a necessary strategy? None of my friends would use the n-word, and would I get into a fight with a large redneck if I heard it? No, I’m not that brave. You’re seriously suggesting that there is no racism in the US? I hope you’re watching the news, because Palin’s speeches were anything but tolerant with “supporters” yelling everything from “Terrorist” to “Kill him” and verbally attacking black soundman at one rally today – the appeal to racial hatred is pretty clear.
bjk:
i wish no one over the age of 14 had ever said that in front of me…but i have to admit that i have heard graduate students use that kind of language. and by the few times i’ve heard it, i can only assume it was something they said on a regular basis. they’re not people i still talk to or associate with, but i cannot deny that they exist.
I think my original semi-serious point remains – if people who are prejudiced against a candidate, not just disagreeing with his views, are willing to vote for him, then it must say something about McCain gigantic inability to secure the vote he, unfortunately, had in his pocket simply because he’s running against a black candidate.
But then again maybe racists are much more complex than that – they do apparently go to graduate school, so maybe I’m wrong.
P.S. tonight’s drinking game: DRINK EVERY TIME McCAIN SAYS “MIDDLE CLASS” and “DANGEROUS”
The video response to some of the questions raised above is found here. Enjoy!
Overt racism simply isn’t acceptable anymore. I saw that WaPo item about the “racial epithet.” OK, which one was it? Are there so many to choose from? I can only think of one.
The new argument is that racism is more pernicious for being driven underground. But that’s not what this claims.
Campaign worker: “Hello, how are you? I’m from the Obama campaign. Are you planning to vote this November?”
Archie Bunker type: “You mean for the n—–? I don’t know. Haven’t decided yet.”
I just can’t believe that happens, even in Philadelphia, but it does correspond to a certain liberal fantasy. If only racism and racists didn’t exist a) black poverty would largely disappear and b) America would adopt European social policies and c) Obama would be winning by 15%. Racism is conveniently all-explanatory, which is a good reason to be suspicious.
I see your point about the liberal fantasy – I think it’s a point that certainly deserves attention. Even if the above story is not true, which really doesn’t matter, I think, don’t you think that there are people out there who would never vote for Obama simply because he is black and no other reason?
PS. Obama is up by 11-12 points in major polls which with a margin of error indicates a strong lead
On the other hand, see this and this.
That’s all part of America’s vibrant diversity, like the 93% of blacks voting for Obama, and the 7% who didn’t hear the question right.