The De-Racialization of US Politics (Barf Alert)

Der Spiegel ^ | June 9, 2008 | Paul Krugman

[2ndDivisionVet]

The de-racialization of US politics has implications that go far beyond the possibility that we’re about to elect an African-American president.

Fervent supporters of Barack Obama like to say that putting him in the White House would transform America. With all due respect to the candidate, that gets it backward. Mr. Obama is an impressive speaker who has run a brilliant campaign -- but if he wins in November, it will be because our country has already been transformed.

Mr. Obama’s nomination wouldn’t have been possible 20 years ago. It’s possible today only because racial division, which has driven US politics rightward for more than four decades, has lost much of its sting.

And the de-racialization of US politics has implications that go far beyond the possibility that we’re about to elect an African-American president. Without racial division, the conservative message -- which has long dominated the political scene -- loses most of its effectiveness.

Take, for example, that old standby of conservatives: denouncing Big Government. Last week John McCain’s economic spokesman claimed that Barack Obama is President Bush’s true fiscal heir, because he’s “dedicated to the recent Bush tradition of spending money on everything.”

[2ndDivisionVet]

Krugman is a tool.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Krugman again. oy.

[denydenydeny]

Without racial division, the conservative message -- which has long dominated the political scene -- loses most of its effectiveness.

Uh, Paul, I have a concise, two-word message for you.

[truthguy]

Krugman-one of the biggest AHoles in the media.

[Terry Mross]

Obama could be the first black president. That would make McCain the first politician to lose to a black president. Therefore, McCain, too, will be remembered by history. Unlike all those “other guys” who ran and lost.

[freema]

This should have had a mega barf alert.

[Army Air Corps]

Krugman has absolutely no clue as to what is the ethos of the conservative movement. All he knows is that, in his peas brain, it is “icky.”

[Hardastarboard]

Without racial division, the conservative message -- which has long dominated the political scene -- loses most of its effectiveness.

I can't respond to this. We're not supposed to advocate violence on this forum, no matter how much someone deserves it.

[2ndDivisionVet]

President Warren Harding (R-OH) was the first black president. Google it.

[smedley64]

"...Without racial division, the conservative message -- which has long dominated the political scene -- loses most of its effectiveness..."

What an idiot. This moron needs a knuckle sandwich.

[CGTRWK]

A candidate who won his primary by a whisker on the strength of massive turnout among racist black voters who voted their pigment by a 10:1 margin is somehow a demonstration of racial harmony in America.

Any other insights for us Krugman?

[okie01]

This should have had a mega barf alert.

A Krugman notice would've been sufficient...

[Rosemont]

Krugman...the guy was probably swirlied all the time in high school.

[darkangel82]

Uh, Paul, I have a concise, two-word message for you.

So do I, it rhymes with "truck you."

[Pearls Before Swine]

Fervent supporters of Barack Obama like to say that putting him in the White House would transform America.

Yeah, like putting Mugabe in power transformed Zimbabwe.

[puroresu]

Krugman is a tool

And a fool. This is the most racially charged election year in decades, largely because of Obama's use of the race card and his ties to racially obsessed hate mongers.