While many on the left have brought up evangelicals supporting Huckabee as merely being a “he’s one of us” phenomenon, the Democrats have their own candidates basing much of their appeal on their identity and not ideology. When that happens it can turn bad – quickly. For one it has already.
While Obama has supporters claiming “I admit it: I’m voting for Barack Obama because he’s black.”, most of his backers are not (publicly at least) claiming this. It seems that Obama has worked at moving beyond being simply “the black candidate.” I am appreciative of that.
On the other hand, Hillary Clinton has went full-blown into the realm of identity politics. From the beginning, her campaign has been centralized around the fact she would be the first woman president. She tried to place herself on both sides of the issue. One minute she would claim that her being a woman had nothing to do with it, the next she would complain about “the men” ganging up on her at the debates.
It has now become the theatre of the absurd as Hillary has fully embraced the identity politics mantle. First she cried on cue in the lead up to the New Hampshire primary. Now in her final chance to slow Obama’s momentum, she opens it with whining about unfair media treatment.
For a Clinton to complain about media favoritism is irony to the extreme, but the real striking thing to me is her abandoning of any feminism principles and falling back on “I’m just a girl.” She is engaged in all the negative stereotypes of women in leadership position. Feminists should be outraged, but they won’t be because identity conquers all.
If I were an African-American, I would be proud of Obama’s campaign. I would still disagree with him on every issue, but I would be grateful that he avoided the pitfalls of running based almost solely on his race.
If I were a woman, I would be ashamed that Hillary Clinton, in trying to become the first woman president, resorted to the “crying to the police officer to get out of a ticket” ploy. Identity politics has driven her campaign and it is somewhat satisfying, politically speaking, to see the collapse of her bid because of it.
Another volley from the "hate Hillary" armada. Big deal.
Actually, this sounds like a lot of sniveling whining. The tricks being used by Obama and McCain are no different.
The difference is that Hillary has such high negatives that people just whine while they overlook others. Politics is dirty. Always has been and always will be. I don't see why this is of any surprise.
If candidates are not kissing babies they are stealing their lollipops to get elected. Not new even with GW, Reagan, or Jefferson.
Recognizing that and calling it what it is is the first step. All the moral indignation of and hypothesizing about being a woman and being disgusted is just ignoring the larger problem.
Getting off my soapbox.
– Silver
I agree Silver, to some extent, almost all is fair in politics. You wanna get elected by playing the race/gender card, go ahead. If we are dumb enough to fall for it, good for you.
The only reason a neocon might bring this up is that it seems hypocritical for lefties, who emphasize equality and tolerance and such, to turn around and then play the race/gender card.
However, at the same time, it would be just as hypocritical for neocons, who (rightly) oppose such policies as affirmative action, to play the race/gender card. But as you said, they often do.
Somehow, I am not surprised or upset.
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/02/27/video-the-o…
Speaking of all being fair ……..