Mrs. Clinton and her supporters really stepped in it this time.

"Clinton Touts White Support"

"Ms. Brazile and Mr. Begala...engaged in a prime-time debate about the coalitions being built by Mr. Obama or Mrs. Clinton. Mr. Begala, a Clinton supporter, said the party could not win in November with just “eggheads and African-Americans,” that the party could not ignore white middle-class voters. Ms. Brazile, who said she was not “undecided but undeclared” when it came to her choice for a candidate, shot back that Mr. Begala’s notions were dividing the party."

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/08/clinton-touts-white-support/

I love Donna Brazile.

Paul Begala, not so much.

Hillary Clinton? Not at all.

"I have a much broader base to build a winning coalition on," she said in an interview with USA Today. As evidence, Clinton cited an Associated Press article "that found how Sen. Obama's support among working, hard-working Americans, white Americans, is weakening again, and how whites in both states who had not completed college were supporting me."

"There's a pattern emerging here," she said.

USA Today

Yes, "there is a pattern emerging here" into the sunlight. After months of hiding beneath a white sheet, that statement was barely hidden in the flimsy gauze of euphemism. That was not said through her husband, her colleagues or her lackeys. It came straight from Eight Belles mouth. Months ago, as far as many Democrats were concerned, the "commander in chief threshold" was just a historically familiar sign above the lunch counter. Now, the rest of the apologist Clinton liberals can stop pretending that their Black friends are hallucinating.

I do not know what this accomplishes for her, but it is ugly, has been ugly and may get uglier. Anyone who looks at the long list of states that Obama has won -- like the Carolinas, Colorado, Wisconsin, Georgia, Washington and Iowa -- knows that her racial and demographic metric is utter poppycock. As far as I am concerned, any Democrat or Republican who feels that this is an acceptable campaign tool needs to be put out to the curb. Thanks to the Clintons there is a green light for more overt use of this divisive tactic. When we do go forward into the coming election cycles, we must clean house and hold anyone accountable who continues to endorse this behavior.

For the record, Barack Obama, his campaign, his spokespeople and his surrogates have never ever made this election an issue of gender. Obama has consistently reached out to every American. "Electability" is an utter canard when a campaign has 2.5 million new voters, 1.5 million donors, twice as many states won and a sizable delegate lead. Any argument that revolves around the mythical "Joe Six-Pack" voting for a white candidate in droves out of racial division ignores the reality that a woman would not make them any happier. I will leave any expansion of that argument to the small, but brilliant female contingent in these parts.

Numbers in places like Indiana were all affected by crossover voters. One in ten Hoosiers who voted last Tuesday was a Republican. This is a potential ten point swing toward Obama if you take out the "Operation Chaos" figures. Subtracting the Rush votes, Ohio is much the same. In Texas, the caucus spread that Obama won was almost exactly the same percentage that one would get if GOP participants were removed from the total. This was on the blogs for many weeks before rank and file members of the party would even acknowledge it. Now, it is an utter embarrassment.

African-Americans only represent 12% of the total population. They study the issues, examine the candidates and cast a ballot. Black people voted in this election just like any other Americans. Like other voters, they voted in very high percentages for Clinton in early primaries when Barack Obama was still relatively unknown. Identity politics held little sway at the outset, and his support has been growing with knowledge of his candidacy, not his skin color. Percentages steadily slipped when the race card was first played nationally in South Carolina.

Many people of every color wear a blue collar at work. Some folks do still hold prejudices, but they are not the swing vote in this election, or in November. This card might play well in Kentucky and West Virginia, but nationally, it is a disgrace. It is even more difficult to swallow her narrative when the GOP opponent has been very clear that a racial undertone would not be acceptable. As she realizes that her chances with the last great prize are growing ever slim, the rhetoric will grow more dissonant. In spite of her accusations, flagellations and lamentations, she is going to lose. For Clinton to attempt this sort of last minute all-out Dixiecrat argument is disgusting.

Sure, she will visit Oregon and pander. However, her support in our state is weak. In fact, I saw one poll that put her support double digits below Obama with rural voters. Now that the end is coming, her campaign no longer even mentions the largest state left in the contest. A state that is chock full of "blue collar white voters" and a small yet active African American population. Most of us will be hollering like New Years Eve when this is painfully and completely over. So long as we make our voices heard at the ballot box, Oregon will put Obama over the top with pledged delegates on April 20th. We should all be damn proud if we finally make that happen. Vote!

Mr. Obama has impressed me with his sincere attempt to not make this election about race.

Herb

I hope we do get to make that happen!

OPERATION CHAOS=LIMBAUGHS SENSE OF SELF IMPORTANCE. NONFACTOR!

What this democratic side of the election process has done is energized the voters. States where primaries were afterthoughts have had the chance to "make a difference" and it is refreshing to see increased turnouts. For years voter participation has been declining and a smaller segment has made the choice. when only 40 percent turns out and a candidate gets 52 percent, that means less than 22 percent of the eligible voters become the "MAJORITY".....

I am no CLINTON fan, but hope she rides her horse to the end of the race, just for the turnout!
When was the last time the Oregon Primary was nothing more than an afterthought. Close to that now, but nothing written in stone yet. VOTE!!!

Hated to see the Repubs wrap so soon...

Still think the general election is fielding weak choices.... McCain/Obama/clinton is really the best we have?!!?!!!?!!!!?

Obama is the best we've had in over 40 years.

"Mr. Obama has impressed me with his sincere attempt to not make this election about race."

Herb,

That's nice to hear.
Especially since you are such a fan of the father of the Southern Strategy.

That's what makes it interesting. As fervent as you are about Obama, Someone else is equally fervent about McCain, Nader, Clinton, Al Gore's carbon credits, the new world order, and any other candidate or political position. hopefully that fervor translates into record numbers of voters at the polls in November. Ultimately, all any of us can do is watch it play out, and hope the solutions offered don't tax the average working stiff any further.

Personally, I would like to see a re-imposition of some of the regulations that were loosened over the last 20 odd years on many industries from broadcasting to banking to oil companies, and gas and electric utilities. It has become obvious that the companies that were deregulated either had no interest or desire to police themselves. The quest for the extra dollar blinded them, and we all paid the price. I have yet to see any deregulated industry, deliver on the increased competition and lower costs that they were going to deliver..........

Vitalogy, even at this early stage, I am inclined to agree with you. RFK was the last potential nominee to hold such great promise.

Roger, I also think that the turnout has been incredible and I hope it continues. No doubt, the new found energy in our democratic experiment will translate into a better America. This can only happen if folks stay engaged in the process.

Add: I meant to say May 20th, but in my own defense, he has had an insurmountable lead since April 20th.