In watching the Republican National Convention, I have observed that mostly white men and women are there cheering and waving American flags… Despite the eventual spattering of brown and black faces that I finally saw in the crowd, this RNC celebration makes me realize even more that the Republicans have their own version of what “America” looks like, and how it should remain…Republicans realize they must reach in their vast bag of tricks to get the attention of Americans if they plan on turning this election around in their favor. As usual, their bag of tricks consists of items that are never useful to the larger public, but chock-full of goodies that work magic on people who are easily swayed by the most divisive and least inclusive issues that face Americans… at large.
Issues of sex, religion, race and gender have been the hot button topics of this country since its inception. Though it is very possible to discuss these topics with reasonable discourse, Republicans bellow these facets like crazed people yelling “fire” in an overcrowded evangelistic tent. And what better way to fire up the Republican troops when you are about to lose a Presidential election to a Black opponent?
First, they bellowed “Muslim,” because his name is Barack Hussein Obama… Then it was “anti-American,” when he did not wear a lapel pin… Soon Republicans took him to task over “anti-white” sermons his minister preached. Underneath it all was their Obama rallying cry, “lack of experience.”
Tonight the Republicans presented Sarah Palin as their Republican Vice Presidential Nominee. This was the first time most Americans actually heard her speak or got a glimpse of her. We know she is the Governor of Alaska for less than 2 years, and has 5 children. Her husband is a fisherman and member of the Teamsters Union… She is under investigation for political crimes. She believes that Obama is inexperienced and that McCain is the “right man for the job…” What more do we need to know…?
Republicans are hoping for that “Palin Assist.” But since she brings little to the Republican ticket other than partisanship and drama, they are hoping that Palin will assist them in winning over white Americans, especially white Hillary Clinton supporters. They are banking on the likelihood that whites across the country leaning Obama’s way will become so incensed after they witness Obama jab Palin and McCain that they will turn Republican….
On the surface Republicans will characterize it as an “elite” Democrat challenging “American values,” but under the surface and in their hearts and minds it is all about the "uppity" Black Man disrespecting a White Woman who has now become the Republicans’… “Faint” White Hope!
These tactics of gender and race divisions might work in some parts of the country. It certainly worked in Tennessee Bob Corker’s favor when he beat Harold Ford in 2006 by less than 5 percentage points. Remember the white woman in Corker's television add beckoning Ford? Informed Democrats want to make sure these divisive tactics do not influence this election…
Ethnic times have changed for the majority of Americans. Someone needs to tell the Republican Party leadership that these are now “multi-ethnic” times. And if they are not sure how to change with the times then they should learn from the Democratic National Convention… Every race and ethnicity got some face time at the DNC. They all considered themselves uniformly patriotic and willing to change the look of American government.
But all those in favor must vote to bring about this change…
G.L.M.
