Iowa Watching Party

[peapod1980]

I guess you have a good point on that last bit.

Your observation about the civil rights movement tone of those lines is very astute. I remember a political science class where we discussed the primary system and concluded there'd never be a black president (or any other non-traditional president) as long as Iowa and New Hampshire held so much sway over the process. In 1994, no one really thought a black candidate could win a state that was 97% white. Yet they did. It was one of those moments where you have a sense of history being made. I was so proud of those Iowans last night, because if I'm honest I have to admit I doubted their ability to look beyond race just a little.

[Tehehehe...someone's going to be appalled with himself for logging on to my computer when I was in the other room. ]

:funn: Glad I just finished my drink!

 

[Jdarg]

I was getting ready to congratulate Skunky on his new "Democratic-ness".

 

[John R]

Come over--we're watching Disc 3 of "Planet Earth" on Mr. Pod's Christmas present to himself. I can't talk about it. :angry:

Do tell.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I guess you have a good point on that last bit.

Your observation about the civil rights movement tone of those lines is very astute. I remember a political science class where we discussed the primary system and concluded there'd never be a black president (or any other non-traditional president) as long as Iowa and New Hampshire held so much sway over the process. In 1994, no one really thought a black candidate could win a state that was 97% white. Yet they did. It was one of those moments where you have a sense of history being made. I was so proud of those Iowans last night, because if I'm honest I have to admit I doubted their ability to look beyond race just a little.

[Tehehehe...someone's going to be appalled with himself for logging on to my computer when I was in the other room. ]

Maybe Mango is taking my comments on racial guilt to an extreme, beyond my intended context. In Punzy's bold text above, there is a sense of accomplishment with overcoming the HUGE hurdle of a black person having a legitimate shot at being elected President. It is very understandable, and I too, enjoy the idea. All I'm saying is that many people, who don't make their decisions based on actual policies, will find a little pride in the idea of incredible history being made, and will vote for Sen Obama, solely to set a great mark in history. I love the idea of America being that open, to knocking down that racial wall. It certainly doesn't mean that the people voting as such are racist in any manner. If all else were equal among the candidates, I'd vote for Sen Obama, for that very reason. However, I don't find all else equal, and I am not likely to vote for him. Hell, I cannot even vote in the primary, so I cannot say who I AM voting for.

 

[elgordoboy]

I'm watching a chick flick that I won't even name. Jude Law is fer sher a mystical creature...

"The Holiday" I was forced to view this last night.

 

[NoHall]

"The Holiday" I was forced to view this last night.

Yep...that's it... Great movie for cleansing the crappy lost loves out of one's life, like a romantic enema...

 

[Mango]

Maybe Mango is taking my comments on racial guilt to an extreme, beyond my intended context. In Punzy's bold text above, there is a sense of accomplishment with overcoming the HUGE hurdle of a black person having a legitimate shot at being elected President. It is very understandable, and I too, enjoy the idea. All I'm saying is that many people, who don't make their decisions based on actual policies, will find a little pride in the idea of incredible history being made, and will vote for Sen Obama, solely to set a great mark in history. I love the idea of America being that open, to knocking down that racial wall. It certainly doesn't mean that the people voting as such are racist in any manner. If all else were equal among the candidates, I'd vote for Sen Obama, for that very reason. However, I don't find all else equal, and I am not likely to vote for him. Hell, I cannot even vote in the primary, so I cannot say who I AM voting for.

Alright, I get what you mean now. I figured I had to be missing some part of the equation. The word guilt threw me off.

 

[Bdarg]

Alright, I get what you mean now. I figured I had to be missing some part of the equation. The word guilt threw me off.

I have to admit that I was having second thoughts on my belief that SJ is one of the most fair, honest and unprejudiced people that I know. Thanks for clearing that up.

The first time I heard Obama, or heard of him for that matter, was before he ran for any office. I heard him give a speech on the radio. I remember the the speech for clarity of idea and the gift he had for speaking. It was not until much later that I learned that he was a person of color. I was then and still am working colorblind.

I do not think that there is any "guilt vote". Those that are prejudice are going to vote their way with out guilt and those of us who are not are going to vote without guilt. Now there is a question as to whether one of us should feel guilty.

For what it is worth, I have always voted for the person I felt was best able to handle the job and that I felt could provide the leadership that the country most needed at the time. Party lines, the color of their skin, sex, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, etc have never played a part in my decision process. The candidate's ability to separate those things from their role while in the elected office however has always weighed heavily in determining my vote.

 

[Smiling JOe]

GW Bush was the last candidate to win in Iowa, then go on to win the Presidency, but I think he was an exception to the rule in the past. (Of course, we don't live in the past, only the present.) I really doubt Huckabee can win the GOP, and I'm wondering if Obama can really beat Hillary. Looks like Edwards blew his wad (of cash) in Iowa and got hosed, and I don't think we will see him around for long. With Obama winning Iowa, I think we can expect to see the coffers getting stuffed quickly, and that may give him the force to continue to stay ahead of Hillary. It will be interesting to watch.

Fast forward, and lets say Sen Obama wins the Dem nomination, who is he choosing for VP?

 

[Bdarg]

GW Bush was the last candidate to win in Iowa, then go on to win the Presidency, but I think he was an exception to the rule in the past. (Of course, we don't live in the past, only the present.) I really doubt Huckabee can win the GOP, and I'm wondering if Obama can really beat Hillary. Looks like Edwards blew his wad (of cash) in Iowa and got hosed, and I don't think we will see him around for long. With Obama winning Iowa, I think we can expect to see the coffers getting stuffed quickly, and that may give him the force to continue to stay ahead of Hillary. It will be interesting to watch.

Fast forward, and lets say Sen Obama wins the Dem nomination, who is he choosing for VP?

The foreign relations experience that Bill Richardson could bring to the ticket would be good.