Posted on 01/28/2008 9:22:26 AM PST by seanmerc
Barack Obama used his victory in South Carolina to change the dialogue with the Clintons in the presidential race. He has taken Hillary’s and Bill’s attempt to use the race issue and replied with a clever move. He has basically called their bluff.
And Ted Kennedy’s endorsement of Obama has ratified the Illinois Senator’s strategy and candidacy.
So far, to summarize: Move One was when Obama arrived as a new candidate. Move two was Hillary’s comeback that she is more experienced. Move three was when Obama pivoted off her experience message and said he was the voice of change. Move four was the Clintons’ attempt to inject race into the election. They counted on a racial split in South Carolina to make Super Tuesday about a black/white division.
Now Obama has come back saying, in effect, “Yes, I know that you have made this election about race. But I am betting on the decency, fairness, tolerance, and objectivity of the American electorate. We all share the same hopes and dreams.”
In effect, he said I match you and raise you.
To date, Obama has avoided the race issue. But after his smashing win in South Carolina, he embraced the issue and turned it around to his advantage. He did not go down the path of Jesse Jackson and base his candidacy on a rainbow coalition. Rather, he decided to rise above the Clintons and appeal to America’s ecumenical diversity.
So now Super Tuesday is a contest between those who are mired in racial division and those who are willing to transcend it.
The massive outpouring of criticism of the Clintons for their tactics in South Carolina is withering fire which may take a serious toll among Hillary’s voters. Caroline Kennedy’s invocation of her father in endorsing Obama seems right on the money. Ted Kennedy’s support for him legitimizes white backing for the Illinois Senator and could have a big impact.
The Clintons were banking on a silent invocation of racial division stemming from a massive Obama win in South Carolina among black voters and a last place finish among whites. Their hopes were that whites would note the racial split in South Carolina and react by voting for Clinton.
But this racial divisiveness can only take place in the dark, out of sight. With the glare of Obama’s idealism shining on the dialogue, conscience comes into play and the American electorate may overcome the divisiveness of the Clintons.
Will Obama’s move trump the Clinton strategy? A lot hangs in the balance. Ultimately, the choice will say more about our soul as a nation than about the candidates in this election.
The boldness of Obama in accepting the Clintons’ injection of race as an issue and his insistence on an enlightened answer challenges us all. Even as one’s head warns that the strategy will fail, one’s heart hopes that it will succeed.
Either way, Obama has made the Super Tuesday vote more about who we are than who the candidates running for president are.
Hugh and series.
Should Hillary end up remaining a senator, she’s sure gonna give the cold shoulder to a lot of her colleagues.
I guess that would be more satisfying than “Skipper of the S.S. Oldsmobile.”
The JFK cargo cult has found its new hope.
It is my belief that Edwards will see a migration of democrat white voters.
I don’t know what the fuss is all about. Kennedy couldn’t get elected Dog Catcher outside the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts.
And don’t forget Caroline Kennedy’s endorsement, representing another age demographic.
And once Hillary realizes her dream of being POTUS is gone, expect Bill and Hillary to divorce, since that was the only thing keeping them together.
Dicky M. is getting more huge and ‘hugher’ each time I see him on TV. Go easy on those late night pizza’s Dicky boy or your carbon credits will take a hit too.
I don't know if that is a good thing.
Watch your back, Barrack., the bent one is M A D .
errr.. Osamada-Bamada-Hamada-Mamada
I don’t think that’s it.
I think the liberal wing of the Democrat party has sent Ted out to put the smack down on the Clintons for their race-baiting.
Good for them.
Not that it will make a difference.
Hillary will still be the nominee, and the Democrats will be locked in a civil war.
Reminds me of that line from Jurassic Park 2, where the T-Rex is attacking the trailer where Jeff Goldblum and a couple of others are holed up. Jeff Goldblum looks at the others and says, “Mommy’s very angry.”
This race is getting interesting.
Looks like my dream scenario of Rat-on-Rat fratricide is getting closer to reality every day. I LOVE IT!!!
Did Kennedy remember Obama’s name this time?
Strikes me that any move The Fat Little Rich Kid makes is “huge”. Sorta like the Blob.
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