Stanley Fish is a law professor and online opinion columnist at the New York Times. His column of March 16, 2008, entitled "Memo to the Superdelegates: No Principles, Please," takes up the question of whether the superdelegates should cast their votes according to some agreed upon standard. Ironically many pundits have characterized leaving the decision of who will become the Democratic nominee to the superdelegates as decidedly undemocratic. Fish points out many parts of our democracy that could be considered undemocratic. I would add to his list of our undemocratic practices the fact that electors from the states, choose the presidential winners in their states. Never mind that this led to Bush winning the presidency in 2000 even though Gore had more of the popular vote. And it also seems inherently undemocratic that voters in so called battleground states get disproportionately more attention from presidential campaigns than voters in non battleground states, defying the concept of "one man, one vote." And we all know that the Supreme Court intervened in Florida to effectively stop the voting recount in certain Florida counties.
I could not agree more with Fish's two concluding paragraphs. Editorialists and pundits are consumed with finding out from superdelegates by what standard they will vote at the convention. They feign shock and dismay that the "democratic" party has such a seemingly undemocratic process for ultimately choosing the nominee and that there is no agreed upon method for casting their votes. I for one would not want there to be such a standard. Let every superdelegate vote according to his/her conscience and political interests. That is the same democratic principle by which we all vote. Why should all "super"delegates vote according to some agreed upon standard that I myself would not submit to? That sounds like some Soviet-style election in which the outcome would be pre-determined. Being unable to predict the outcome of an election means that democracy is at work and not some super imposed standard that delegates must align with whether they like it or not.
As usual in close elections, the ultimate choice will hinge on how the undecideds break when their votes must be cast. This gives all sorts of anxiety to both Obama and Clinton supporters who believe that superdelegates should not use their votes to overturn the outcome of primary process in terms of pledged delegates or popular vote (Obama) or that the superdelegates should exercise their judgment and vote for the candidate who will be the best candidate to win in the fall (Clinton). We already know how many of the superdelegates will vote and Hillary has a slight edge, but it's total delegates that matter and the vote of a superdelegate is equal to the vote of a pledged delegate. There is little surprise that most of the undecided superdelegates wish that one of the candidates would break ahead in the count of pledged delegates so that they will not have be the deciding factor and perhaps pay a political price. This democracy thing can be so difficult!
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Can We Please Acknowledge the Obvious?
So I was listening to one of my favorite NPR programs on WAMU in Washington, DC and the guests were discussing race and the Democratic presidential campaign in light of the comments of Geraldine Ferraro and the embattled Mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick. In particular, a guest that day on the Kojo Nnamdi Show posited that Geraldine Ferraro's now infamous quote was meant as code to white voters like some of those in Pennsylvania who might look at Obama as an affirmative action presidential candidate, and, resentful of blacks who've benefited from the perceived lack of fairness in affirmative action in general, might actually reject Obama as just another black guy who's gotten ahead (of themselves) because of his race. Whew! That's a lot to read into one quote from a newspaper that serves a community in southern California "from LAX to L.A. Harbor!"
There are many ways to pick apart this whole flap and my finger would first point at the Obama campaign itself and their crackerjack opposition researchers who were no doubt scouring the web for some quote to be used out of context to make Clinton's supporters (and by extension, Mrs. Clinton herself) look bad. That this story got so much attention unfortunately proves that the Obama campaign has not transcended race and is all too willing to play the race card to score political points. They certainly hit paydirt with Ferraro and the Daily Breeze, but come now, it's not as if she'd spoken on Meet the Press and said what she said. A reading of the original article shows plainly what happended: ahead of a paid political speech to be given in Torrance, CA, a reporter from Torrance's hometown paper, the Daily Breeze, called Ms. Ferraro to get an advance story on what her talk would cover, which naturally included her take on how the Democratic primary race is progressing as well as her role in the Clinton campaign.
While it's true that Obama has not closed the sale with white voters (see this Washington Post Story on the subject) whose support he will definitely need to win the presidency, it is not true that Ms. Ferraro was acting as a campaign surrogate in making her remarks. She was giving her own political analysis of the Democratic race and naturally expressed some frustration that the candidate she supports is not the frontrunner. One might think that someone steeped in Democratic politics who is also a Fox News Contributor would have been more mindful of her remarks. While inartfully expressed, hers were not anywhere near the level of coded language that President Bill Clinton used in trying to marginalize Obama as a Black candidate following Obama's decisive victory in South Carolina. In fact if President Bill had stuck to the script, Hillary might have clinched the nomination on Super Tuesday. But instead the media spotlight on Bill's reckless comments moved Black voters (including this one) en masse to supporting Obama, who just a year ago was perceived as "not black enough" by many.
Let me say that as a 42 year old African-American male, I take NO offense at Ferraro's comment. It is a statement out of context that ignores her political record. And shame on the Obama campaign for injecting race into the campaign only to imply that Ferraro is racially insensitive. The Obama campaign played the media like a fiddle as the story reverberated for three days, thanks in large part to Ferraro having the temerity to defend herself in the same race-baiting media outlets that were happy to have a controversy to cover. But for anyone to believe that Ferraro--who has acknowledged that her gender was a principle factor in being chosen as a vice presidential candidate--meant that Obama's race is the ONLY reason that he has gotten so far is laughable. It is obvious that part of Obama's appeal is the very positive view of race that his candidacy represents. A reconciling of our past, ugly racial history with the potential of a post civil rights candidacy of this highly qualified African-American is embodied in Obama. Rather than suppose that Ferraro's comment was anti-affirmative action code directed at whites suspicious of Obama as a black candidate, let those voters speak for themselves. If Obama is as gifted and sincere as his supporters believe, then he should be able convince those voters that he is the genuine article. Merely to discount their votes as somehow impure or racially tinged is irrelevant. Our man needs to make the sale to all voters. That's what campaigns are for and if Obama can't convince his detractors to vote for him (how many weeks until the Pennsylvania primary?), then perhaps Democrats and superdelegates should pause and consider which of our two highly qualified choices is the one more likely to WIN in the fall.
There are many ways to pick apart this whole flap and my finger would first point at the Obama campaign itself and their crackerjack opposition researchers who were no doubt scouring the web for some quote to be used out of context to make Clinton's supporters (and by extension, Mrs. Clinton herself) look bad. That this story got so much attention unfortunately proves that the Obama campaign has not transcended race and is all too willing to play the race card to score political points. They certainly hit paydirt with Ferraro and the Daily Breeze, but come now, it's not as if she'd spoken on Meet the Press and said what she said. A reading of the original article shows plainly what happended: ahead of a paid political speech to be given in Torrance, CA, a reporter from Torrance's hometown paper, the Daily Breeze, called Ms. Ferraro to get an advance story on what her talk would cover, which naturally included her take on how the Democratic primary race is progressing as well as her role in the Clinton campaign.
While it's true that Obama has not closed the sale with white voters (see this Washington Post Story on the subject) whose support he will definitely need to win the presidency, it is not true that Ms. Ferraro was acting as a campaign surrogate in making her remarks. She was giving her own political analysis of the Democratic race and naturally expressed some frustration that the candidate she supports is not the frontrunner. One might think that someone steeped in Democratic politics who is also a Fox News Contributor would have been more mindful of her remarks. While inartfully expressed, hers were not anywhere near the level of coded language that President Bill Clinton used in trying to marginalize Obama as a Black candidate following Obama's decisive victory in South Carolina. In fact if President Bill had stuck to the script, Hillary might have clinched the nomination on Super Tuesday. But instead the media spotlight on Bill's reckless comments moved Black voters (including this one) en masse to supporting Obama, who just a year ago was perceived as "not black enough" by many.
Let me say that as a 42 year old African-American male, I take NO offense at Ferraro's comment. It is a statement out of context that ignores her political record. And shame on the Obama campaign for injecting race into the campaign only to imply that Ferraro is racially insensitive. The Obama campaign played the media like a fiddle as the story reverberated for three days, thanks in large part to Ferraro having the temerity to defend herself in the same race-baiting media outlets that were happy to have a controversy to cover. But for anyone to believe that Ferraro--who has acknowledged that her gender was a principle factor in being chosen as a vice presidential candidate--meant that Obama's race is the ONLY reason that he has gotten so far is laughable. It is obvious that part of Obama's appeal is the very positive view of race that his candidacy represents. A reconciling of our past, ugly racial history with the potential of a post civil rights candidacy of this highly qualified African-American is embodied in Obama. Rather than suppose that Ferraro's comment was anti-affirmative action code directed at whites suspicious of Obama as a black candidate, let those voters speak for themselves. If Obama is as gifted and sincere as his supporters believe, then he should be able convince those voters that he is the genuine article. Merely to discount their votes as somehow impure or racially tinged is irrelevant. Our man needs to make the sale to all voters. That's what campaigns are for and if Obama can't convince his detractors to vote for him (how many weeks until the Pennsylvania primary?), then perhaps Democrats and superdelegates should pause and consider which of our two highly qualified choices is the one more likely to WIN in the fall.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
That's Me in the White House!
I was watching one of the ObamaTV videos, Woman for Obama, and for the first time I actually came to tears looking at his daughters imagining them playing in the white house like the Kennedy children. I was overwhelmed by the vision of a black young girl in pigtales or braides living on Pennsylvania Avenue! I want that. I want my daughter to see herself, someone like herself in the White House so that she can see that all things are possible. I just saw it for myself! Michele in the White House raising their daughters is so exciting! What a family! The thing that really makes me happy is that they belong! Rather than that innocent picture of a young black girl facing desegregation we are going to see young black girls enjoying their innocence as never seen before! The ignored world of young black girls. Exposed and open for everyone to see! Protected by secret service and in the oval office! Like all those warm photos we have seen of the Kennedy children so many times except this time with someone that looks like me when I was a little girl...what a joy! It is Martin Luther King's dream come true. It is the ultimate leveling of the field for black, brown and white people in America. Yes we can!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Hope or Experience? I choose HOPE!!!
What is it that inspires people to believe a change can come? Why does a single-mom like me keep on working so hard, going to school, raising my child, supporting my family, when it seems there is no rest or the light is so dim at the end of the tunnel? Where does the belief come that there is no where to go but up?
Where does this all come from? Why now, and why so certain? Is it possible that an election could re-introduce me to what makes life worth living? Hope has found me again. I was beginning to loose hope that good and decent is contagious, is real and is possible to grasp. I've been challenged all my life with things that make me wonder if I can...just like everyone else. I have a story to tell full of joys and struggles...just like everyone else. I have fears and doubts... just like everyone else. There are far more things about me...that is just like everyone else...far more than what is not...
My struggles have been rooted in covert race issues, self-esteem, complacency, weight, bad choices in men...not knowing how to speak in my own voice. Listening to Barack Obama, listening to Michele Obama has renewed my sense of hope to the point of action. All the fears, self-doubt, struggles, trials, negative thoughts are all so small when I hear the inspiration of hope coming from his way of leading. I feel lead by a calling rather than a man. I'm inspired to do...rather than be done for. I'm 37 and all these years I've believed that a president is a man that knows better and knows best...but with Barack I believe that he is leading by a calling, a message, an uplifting. He has called me to believe in myself...that I can make a change. Never before have I truly believed this. And what brings it home is his message in unity. The solid foundation of success is unity. Whether you whisper it or say it out loud unity is empowerment to all. That is why the United States of America in name has such power. United! One Nation...
I know who ever sits in that office of President will make mistakes, but I trust that his will be out of attempts to make things better for most rather than some. I applaud his message because it is bringing all people together. I've wanted all my life to scream that I don't care what color you are or where you come from or how much money you have or what religion, size, or name you carry. I don't care! What I do care about is are we all getting a fair chance to succeed? I finally don't feel alone in these thoughts. He speaks to me in my core of what I believe...we are all created equal...he has opened my heart to trust that others may too believe these things. I'm not alone! Is it possible that we can unite no matter what we look like or how much we make...can we really be one country? YES WE CAN!
Barack Obama seems full of integrity and character. He is an example of humanity at its best. He has inspired me beyond what I ever thought possible. He dared me to believe and I can't resist the temptation. He makes me feel proud to be American, black, educated and able to overcome. Yes, I can! I am not alone in the discouragement and the division of the last 8 years has created. I was unable to chat with a republican, a conservatist, unable to share my voice. I felt sapped from empowerment, rought with fear, and removed from the process. Not anymore! I will participate and contribute to hope and unity.
I have dreams and hopes... I believe that I can make a difference.
Hope
Hope has me. Hope has snatched me into a world of possibilities. Hope has helped me find a voice. Hope has given me strength. Hope is giving me a foundation. Hope is what matters.
My struggles have been rooted in covert race issues, self-esteem, complacency, weight, bad choices in men...not knowing how to speak in my own voice. Listening to Barack Obama, listening to Michele Obama has renewed my sense of hope to the point of action. All the fears, self-doubt, struggles, trials, negative thoughts are all so small when I hear the inspiration of hope coming from his way of leading. I feel lead by a calling rather than a man. I'm inspired to do...rather than be done for. I'm 37 and all these years I've believed that a president is a man that knows better and knows best...but with Barack I believe that he is leading by a calling, a message, an uplifting. He has called me to believe in myself...that I can make a change. Never before have I truly believed this. And what brings it home is his message in unity. The solid foundation of success is unity. Whether you whisper it or say it out loud unity is empowerment to all. That is why the United States of America in name has such power. United! One Nation...
I know who ever sits in that office of President will make mistakes, but I trust that his will be out of attempts to make things better for most rather than some. I applaud his message because it is bringing all people together. I've wanted all my life to scream that I don't care what color you are or where you come from or how much money you have or what religion, size, or name you carry. I don't care! What I do care about is are we all getting a fair chance to succeed? I finally don't feel alone in these thoughts. He speaks to me in my core of what I believe...we are all created equal...he has opened my heart to trust that others may too believe these things. I'm not alone! Is it possible that we can unite no matter what we look like or how much we make...can we really be one country? YES WE CAN!
Barack Obama seems full of integrity and character. He is an example of humanity at its best. He has inspired me beyond what I ever thought possible. He dared me to believe and I can't resist the temptation. He makes me feel proud to be American, black, educated and able to overcome. Yes, I can! I am not alone in the discouragement and the division of the last 8 years has created. I was unable to chat with a republican, a conservatist, unable to share my voice. I felt sapped from empowerment, rought with fear, and removed from the process. Not anymore! I will participate and contribute to hope and unity.
I have dreams and hopes... I believe that I can make a difference.
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