Official 2012 Election Day Thread

[DynamiteRave]

On a lighter note.

Cat Takes Third In Virginia's Senate Race

[JoeRedskin]

In 2008 and 2012 blacks turned out in historic numbers. In 2008, for the first time, the percentage eligible number of black voters who actually voted was the same as the percentage for whites for the first time ever. I would humbly suggest that this surge in black voter turnout was possibly related to something other than a change in the policy stances of the two parties and would not have occurred had the Dems put forth a white candidate in 2008/12.

[saden1]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

In 2008 and 2012 blacks turned out in historic numbers. In 2008, for the first time, the percentage eligible number of black voters who actually voted was the same as the percentage for whites for the first time ever. I would humbly suggest that this surge in black voter turnout was possibly related to something other than a change in the policy stances of the two parties and would not have occurred had the Dems put forth a white candidate in 2008/12.

I would like to hear your theory on Latinos, Asians, Muslims and Jews as well. If you didnt have anything close to 50% and are now further losing in every demo, maybe, just maybe they aren't the problem.


Mirror mirror on the wall...who is the fairest of them all?


...there is another milady.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

In 2008 and 2012 blacks turned out in historic numbers. In 2008, for the first time, the percentage eligible number of black voters who actually voted was the same as the percentage for whites for the first time ever. I would humbly suggest that this surge in black voter turnout was possibly related to something other than a change in the policy stances of the two parties and would not have occurred had the Dems put forth a white candidate in 2008/12.

Can't blame the black population for voting for the first black man who had a chance to actually win the presidental election. I'm just so over race card and not sure why people like NC have to make several post bringing it up.

[punch it in]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

The race element is definitely out there. As someone who has spent some time in the deep south the past few years, I've heard it loud and clear with my own ears. To deny it's out there is just plain ignorant.

Its alive and well everywhere. I got friends here in NJ that say things sometimes that blow my freakin mind. I go in to see customers and some guy ive been dealing with for years will lean over and say "cant believe were gonna have a n$&ger president again". Blows my ****ing mind. Anyone who thinks race doesnt play a huge part in everyday life let alone the elections doesnt get out of the house enough.

[punch it in]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

In 2008 and 2012 blacks turned out in historic numbers. In 2008, for the first time, the percentage eligible number of black voters who actually voted was the same as the percentage for whites for the first time ever. I would humbly suggest that this surge in black voter turnout was possibly related to something other than a change in the policy stances of the two parties and would not have occurred had the Dems put forth a white candidate in 2008/12.

Absolutely. Reverse racism in a way. However due to the history of our country and even the political/ economic landscape of present day America Im going to say that the black people have alittle more substance to their disdain for white folks than vice versa.

[saden1]

Furthermore Obama's ground game and community outreach was beyond reproach. Quite frankly, it is the reason why even more African Americans voted and Latinos voted. This theory that somehow it is because he is black is bankrupt and intellectually lazy. If Herman Cain was running the result would have been the same.

[JoeRedskin]

Your right of course ... only whites can be racist or motivated by impure racial thoughts.

[saden1]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Your right of course ... only whites can be racist or motivated by impure racial thoughts.

Are you so salty that you to turn to sarcasm and deflection? You implied there is racisim and I said "there isnt any evidence to backup your claim." For people who champion personal responsibility you sure know how to blame others.


Reflect, learn, adapt...that's the way forward.

[CRedskinsRule]

I don't believe that 93% of blacks agree with the fiscal policies of the democrats, I do believe that 93% of blacks don't trust republicans to look out for their interests. I also believe that while white racism mainly is due to skin color and is fading as the younger generations grow up, black racism is mainly due to lack of trust and that the media works hard to perpetuate that, so that you don't see it receding as quickly as you see white racism is. And for those who want to use personal references, my dad couldn't conceive of me having black friends, when one in 6th grade had a crossed burned in his yard, it was considered acceptable, now, my junior high is named for a champion of the racial equality fight, my son wanted to vote for Obama, and he could care less of what color his friends are (nor do I) and I doubt he even considers it in any fashion.

Yes my dad still struggles with his racist upbringing, my 12 yo daughter had a birthday party at his pool and her friends came over. One young black girl's family dropped her off, and hung around, and my dad struggled - you could see it, but my daughter would never have considered it as a thought pattern at all.

Again I believe white racism is shrinking, though I don't deny at all that it exists. On the other side, the perception of racism, and perpetuation of reverse racism is shrinking at an extremely slower rate, and to Saden's point, yes it did occur for a long time, and that does explain a large part, but at some point all sides need to acknowledge that it is in the past and belongs in the past.

[saden1]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

I don't believe that 93% of blacks agree with the fiscal policies of the democrats, I do believe that 93% of blacks don't trust republicans to look out for their interests. I also believe that while white racism mainly is due to skin color and is fading as the younger generations grow up, black racism is mainly due to lack of trust and that the media works hard to perpetuate that, so that you don't see it receding as quickly as you see white racism is. And for those who want to use personal references, my dad couldn't conceive of me having black friends, when one in 6th grade had a crossed burned in his yard, it was considered acceptable, now, my junior high is named for a champion of the racial equality fight, my son wanted to vote for Obama, and he could care less of what color his friends are (nor do I) and I doubt he even considers it in any fashion.

Yes my dad still struggles with his racist upbringing, my 12 yo daughter had a birthday party at his pool and her friends came over. One young black girl's family dropped her off, and hung around, and my dad struggled - you could see it, but my daughter would never have considered it as a thought pattern at all.

Again I believe white racism is shrinking, though I don't deny at all that it exists. On the other side, the perception of racism, and perpetuation of reverse racism is shrinking at an extremely slower rate, and to Saden's point, yes it did occur for a long time, and that does explain a large part, but at some point all sides need to acknowledge that it is in the past and belongs in the past.

There are plenty of what you would call racist black people. My grandmother hates white people. Who wouldn't if you were forced to ride the back of the bus? Is she willing to stand in line to vote for Hillary Clinton, she would, would she vote for John Kerry, she did. Can she be called racist?

As for racism becoming less prevalent I can only speak form my perspective. I never grew up in a household were race mattered or impacted our lives much. I lived in Burke, VA and that mofo was a white as white can be in the mid 90s. I have always had "race doesn't matter" lenses on but after the Travon Martin case and all the vitriol that went on a crack appeared. Some of things that were said in right wing circles were pretty vicious and deeply hurtful. It's a struggle to reconcile what was said by a lot of white folks with "race doesn't matter."

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by saden1

There are plenty of what you would call racist black people. My grandmother hates white people. Who wouldn't if you were forced to ride the back of the bus? Is she willing to stand in line to vote for Hillary Clinton, she would, would she vote for John Kerry, she did. Can she be called racist?

As for racism becoming less prevalent I can only speak form my perspective. I never grew up in a house hold were race didn't mattered or impacted our lives much. I lived in Burke, VA and that mofo was a white as white can be in the mid 90s. I have always had "race doesn't matter" lenses on but after the Travon Martin case and all the vitriol that went on a crack appeared. Some of things that were said in right wing circles were pretty vicious and deeply hurtful. It's a struggle to reconcile what was said by a lot of white folks with "race doesn't matter."

One point of my post is the generational change in whites. My dad was definitely racist, I wouldn't classify myself as racist, yet I can still do the "I had black friends, or a black fiancee" mentality (which by the way when we went to south Philly together, the comments from blacks to her were so hurtful it wasn't funny, and her dad basically disowned her, until she discovered her blackness and we broke up), but my children, and their friends just don't regard it as an issue.

I do hope that time will heal the scars, as deep as they are, and I imagine that's hope of most everyone in the country.

[saden1]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

One point of my post is the generational change in whites. My dad was definitely racist, I wouldn't classify myself as racist, yet I can still do the "I had black friends, or a black fiancee" mentality (which by the way when we went to south Philly together, the comments from blacks to her were so hurtful it wasn't funny, and her dad basically disowned her, until she discovered her blackness and we broke up), but my children, and their friends just don't regard it as an issue.

I do hope that time will heal the scars, as deep as they are, and I imagine that's hope of most everyone in the country.

Progress has been made, is being made and will continue to be made. There are people out who view race as a forefront issue, lord knows I know quite a few black folks with militant mindsets and they are the fringe. My only contention is that the GOP is doing everything it can to harden the resentment of people who share some of their values with comments like "47% are lazy and just want stuff."

You hear about how Kenya West's "George Bush deson't care about black people" was deeply hurtful to Bush and you sympathize with Bush and you decry West's comment and you say to yourself the failure of FEMA under Bush isn't a systematic callousness towards black folks and their plight. Fast forward to now and you watch Mitt Romney vocalize and give credence West's loathsome comments with conviction in that 47% hidden video.

Even now, all you hear the Republicans say is "we need to reach out to minorities, particularly Latinos." As if the African American are less important. You don't particularize, you maximize and you already see that as not happening. If you're going to call yourself the Party of Lincoln and you can't seem to find a way to attract more African Americans there is a serious problem.

The the GOP needs to reflect, reach-out, revitalize to realize gains among minorities. Having the likes of Rubio and all these colored faces is not enough. It's door knocking time. It's time to introduce yourself to a wider community and say hi. Learn about the issues that concerns them and try to address them. Only grace and good will can buy an election in a changing electoral landscape. I hope they do because I would be more than willing to vote for Chris Christie if he didn't come with so much party affiliation baggage. I think he genuinely cares about all people and he is the party's path to electoral success.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by saden1

Progress has been made, is being made and will continue to be made. There are people out who view race as a forefront issue, lord knows I know quite a few black folks with militant mindsets and they are the fringe. My only contention is that the GOP is doing everything it can to harden the resentment of people who share some of their values with comments like "47% are lazy and just want stuff."

You hear about how Kenya West's "George Bush deson't care about black people" was deeply hurtful to Bush and you sympathize with Bush and you decry West's comment and you say to yourself the failure of FEMA under Bush isn't a systematic callousness towards black folks and their plight. Fast forward to now and you watch Mitt Romney vocalize and give credence West's loathsome comments with conviction in that 47% hidden video.

Even now, all you hear the Republicans say is "we need to reach out to minorities, particularly Latinos." As if the African American are less important. You don't particularize, you maximize and you already see that as not happening. If you're going to call yourself the Party of Lincoln and you can't seem to find a way to attract more African Americans there is a serious problem.

The the GOP needs to reflect, reach-out, revitalize to realize gains among minorities. Having the likes of Rubio and all these colored faces is not enough. It's door knocking time. It's time to introduce yourself to a wider community and say hi. Learn about the issues that concerns them and try to address them. Only grace and good will can buy an election in a changing electoral landscape. I hope they do because I would be more than willing to vote for Chris Christie if he didn't come with so much party affiliation baggage. I think he genuinely cares about all people and he is the party's path to electoral success.

Fair enough. Well said.

[Daseal]

Originally Posted by saden1

Progress has been made, is being made and will continue to be made. There are people out who view race as a forefront issue, lord knows I know quite a few black folks with militant mindsets and they are the fringe. My only contention is that the GOP is doing everything it can to harden the resentment of people who share some of their values with comments like "47% are lazy and just want stuff."

You hear about how Kenya West's "George Bush deson't care about black people" was deeply hurtful to Bush and you sympathize with Bush and you decry West's comment and you say to yourself the failure of FEMA under Bush isn't a systematic callousness towards black folks and their plight. Fast forward to now and you watch Mitt Romney vocalize and give credence West's loathsome comments with conviction in that 47% hidden video.

Even now, all you hear the Republicans say is "we need to reach out to minorities, particularly Latinos." As if the African American are less important. You don't particularize, you maximize and you already see that as not happening. If you're going to call yourself the Party of Lincoln and you can't seem to find a way to attract more African Americans there is a serious problem.

The the GOP needs to reflect, reach-out, revitalize to realize gains among minorities. Having the likes of Rubio and all these colored faces is not enough. It's door knocking time. It's time to introduce yourself to a wider community and say hi. Learn about the issues that concerns them and try to address them. Only grace and good will can buy an election in a changing electoral landscape. I hope they do because I would be more than willing to vote for Chris Christie if he didn't come with so much party affiliation baggage. I think he genuinely cares about all people and he is the party's path to electoral success.

This is a good point. I always thought I would vote for John McCain if he ran for President. He was fairly centrist, he is brilliant, and overall I think would be strong if necessary, but try all routes of diplomacy first. Often those that have been to war, try to avoid war. However, once he started running for President he took the hard-line GOP party issues. Had he not been pandering to the hard core right, he could have had my vote.