Whenever longtime Democrats gather to note how the chemistry and calculus of the 2008 campaign seem to favor their party this year, one or another will always add some version of the following: "Yeah, but we could screw this up before it's over."
When Hillary subtlety brought up the issue of race, she really opened up a can of worms. Their bickering back and forth about something as stupid as the color of one's skin is a road that no one should travel down.
And make no mistake, Hillary knew exactly what she was saying when she said it. But race is still prevalent today. Overall, Clinton and Obama are close nationally in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll. But, among white voters, Clinton leads 41% to 27%. Among African-American voters, Obama leads 66% to 16%.
But if you look at the numbers, they tend to lead you in a direction, but they don't tell the whole story. Are white people drawn more towards Hillary because she's white and black folks towards Obama because he's black? I'd like to think no and that people are drawn towards a candidate because of particular beliefs and shared ideals.
But there are people in this country who will vote for Barack because he's black and Hillary because she's white.
But the fact that Hillary subtly brought up the issue of race shows that she's willing to use whatever tricks in the book to win. If her lead was say 60%-30% or some other wide margin, her statement would never have been made. She's trying to instill doubt in voter's minds over her rival.
What she does not understand is that people are turned off by such tactics. Barack has responded with a "higher road" statement, and that will ultimately help him. But what Democrats should avoid all together is the issue of race, sexual orientation, and other personal traits and focus on accomplishments. If they don't, they'll put off more people then they know and the Republicans will be there to pick up the pieces and sweep into office.
Travis
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