Negro dialect?

[rosco rathbone]

Because if republicans can win there and in Jersey they can win anywhere. The Dem in North Dakota dropped out because he was 22 points behind. All these moderate districts the dems won to get so big are going to dry up.

Republican governors of NJ are nothing new:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christine_Todd_Whitman

 

[midwestyankee]

Because if republicans can win there and in Jersey they can win anywhere. The Dem in North Dakota dropped out because he was 22 points behind. All these moderate districts the dems won to get so big are going to dry up.

So you weren't really speaking only of the Massachusetts race when you called it "amazing?" Youk said the Massachusetts race was "amazing." I asked about why you found that particular race amazing and your answer is a tour of the rest of the country. What gives here?

 

[rosco rathbone]

I must say, the Republicans are wrong about just about everything, as always, but I have to admire their ability to fight bare-knuckled from a disadvantaged position. Their stalling tactics and group cohesion and discipline, which came up for a lot of negative press in the last year, are starting to look kinda brilliant tacticswise.

 

[intothewoods]

Yep.

Though it makes me wonder what effin' rock our elected officials must live under. All it says to me is that ancient white men like HR have NO connection to the world outside and what people find respectful in it.

Yes, that's what I find most remarkable! I assume it's part the ancient white guy thing and part the isolation of being a high profile politician. Still, it seems like the fact that "negro" is outdated should be pretty basic info to a politician at that level.

 

[ThorkelGriersen]

Harry Reid's political life just ended. Things are so bad two democrat sitting senators aren't even bothering to run.

So far, something like six Republicans have dropped out. I assume that this must show how bad it really is.


In fact, pols of both parties function on a "My career -- My money" plan. Any re-election that might be seriously contested is grounds for calling it quits. It was once the case that after an election, any left-over funds had to be given to the national party. Then when no one was paying attention [24/7] the law got changed to allow perpetual campaign kittys. The real kicker is that when a pol hangs up, he gets to put all the unspent campaign money in his pocket. There has been a recent modification to this, but it is not enough to change the game.

For Example:
John Boehner represents the 20th district in Ohio, the far southwest corner -- bordered by Kentucky on the south and Indiana on the west; the five largest towns in the district have a combined population of about 200,000. Last election, [UNCONTESTED], he raised $1.9 million dollars -- 75% from national sources: Goldman Sachs, Citi, GE, etc. The day he walks away, it can all go into his pocket.

Anyone who does at least 6 years in Washington, can leave office with a Golden Parachute, and a cream puff job as lobbyist --OH, EXCUSE ME, they are no longer lobbyists but [TA DAH] "Consultants.

What the people who voted for them think is completely irrelevant. It's called "He who dies [retires] with the most toys wins."

 

[ThorkelGriersen]

I must say, the Republicans are wrong about just about everything, as always, but I have to admire their ability to fight bare-knuckled from a disadvantaged position. Their stalling tactics and group cohesion and discipline, which came up for a lot of negative press in the last year, are starting to look kinda brilliant tacticswise.

Some one recently commented (elsewhere): "FDR didn't have any legs, but he sure had a spine."

 

[Netzach]

My grandmother was a lifelong supporter of civil rights and called African-Americans "coloreds" til the day she died. People get old and out of touch.

True enough. It just seems to me that if it's part of your job description to stay on top of social trending for the last 30 years you might want to!

 

[Netzach]

Republican governors of NJ are nothing new:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christine_Todd_Whitman

If she were in the running today, the RNC would pull her funding and put it into a third party and call losing "victory"

 

[ThorkelGriersen]

If she were in the running today, the RNC would pull her funding and put it into a third party and call losing "victory"

Like Charlie Crist?

 

[Netzach]

Like Charlie Crist?

I was thinking of NY-25 but take your pick.

 

[WriterDom]

So you weren't really speaking only of the Massachusetts race when you called it "amazing?" Youk said the Massachusetts race was "amazing." I asked about why you found that particular race amazing and your answer is a tour of the rest of the country. What gives here?

The only thing amazing is that republicans are competitive for Teddy's seat. That it is a toss up even. Obama has turned many of the moderates against him. And this is hurting other democrats at the polls. You can call them local race issues if that makes you feel better. But the truth is it is happening. I know several people who have said they won't be voting for Obama next time including my brother.

 

[Netzach]

Do you seriously think that the Republican party has done anything to court and encourage moderate voters in recent memory?

It's a no-brainer for a lot of people to be against Obama, but if what you have to vote FOR is only candidates who pass the religious purity tests, I don't think that as many moderates are willing to hold their nose as you seem to think.

 

[WriterDom]

If you like I can find the exit polling from VA. Something like 80% of moderates voted republican. The Dem lost bad in VA. Forgot who he was.

 

[WriterDom]

I can't find it but 24% in Virginia said their vote was against Obama. The article played it down but that's a lot of voters. Creigh Deeds won 41% I wouldn't think he'd get the moderate vote and do that damn bad.

 

[Etoile]

See also: Shoe shining.

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

I can't find it but 24% in Virginia said their vote was against Obama. The article played it down but that's a lot of voters. Creigh Deeds won 41% I wouldn't think he'd get the moderate vote and do that damn bad.

Some moderates troubled by Obama's first year showed up, yes.

Every pissed off conservative showed up, which in Virginia, is a lot of people.

McDonnell's base was motivated; he's extremely polished and ran a smart campaign downplaying his crazy ideas. Deeds is one awkward dude and ran an astoundingly bad campaign; a lot of liberals and young voters just sat it out, and he gave moderates no reason to support him, either.

Plus, Virginians love to vote for photogenic military guys or businessmen with khakis and great hair, no matter the party.

This was not an election about how Virginia is trending; Deeds did the worst of any Democratic gubernatorial candidate in 50 years; but Virginia is much less conservative than it was in the 60s, even as the GOP has moved to the right. The demographics are against Republicans; If they really want to succeed in the new Virginia over the long haul, they'll have to do something crazy like moderate their policies.

This is really the case nationally as well. The Dems are much better situated to take advantage of the demographic and ideological changes in the country than the GOP, a party that keeps getting smaller and smaller because it's reduced its tent to white, evangelical conservatives. This is the reason, too, that Dems can survive multiple gaffes like Harry Reid's remarks, and why the GOP can withstand fewer such gaffes. Of course Republicans do well if they have a boogeyman: they can demonize Obama and get some traction, and if there's another major terror incident or China emerges as a major Cold War enemy, they'll get a boost. But that's kind of a tenuous way to build a party.

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

From a column on Reid's gaffe and the fallout by Joan Walsh at Salon:

"Meanwhile, Steele and Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl are shrieking "double standard," comparing Reid's comments to the stunning 2002 musings of former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, who had to resign after he said the country would have been better off if it had elected Dixiecrat segregationist Strom Thurmond president in 1948. Oh sure: One guy is talking, perhaps inelegantly, about why he's wholeheartedly supporting our first black president; the other is wishing the country had elected a racist. That's exactly the same thing!"

 

[Netzach]

From a column on Reid's gaffe and the fallout by Joan Walsh at Salon:

"Meanwhile, Steele and Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl are shrieking "double standard," comparing Reid's comments to the stunning 2002 musings of former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, who had to resign after he said the country would have been better off if it had elected Dixiecrat segregationist Strom Thurmond president in 1948. Oh sure: One guy is talking, perhaps inelegantly, about why he's wholeheartedly supporting our first black president; the other is wishing the country had elected a racist. That's exactly the same thing!"

Steele? Honest Injun himself, eh?

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

Steele? Honest Injun himself, eh?

It's all part of the attempt to appeal to non-whites: instead of just old white guys saying racist things, now they have a black man who says racist things! See? Much broader! Now will you support us? Huh? Will you?

I always feel amused watching the GOP convention every four years: the networks try to get a little diversity into the delegate shots, and damn, it's hard. They usually end up showing the same three black delegates fifty times a night.

 

[WriterDom]

A newly released CNN/Opinion Research poll shows a majority of Americans disapprove of the president’s handing of every domestic issue surveyed — health care policy, the economy, taxes, unemployment and the budget deficit, some by double-digit margins.

 

[JMohegan]

Wryly amusing quip from my favorite NYT columnist this morning: "Martha Coakley, the Democratic Senate nominee, is the kind of candidate who reminds you that the state that gave birth to John Kennedy also produced Michael Dukakis."

She also delivered a rant about the US Senate that sums up my frustration quite nicely.

A newly released CNN/Opinion Research poll shows a majority of Americans disapprove of the president’s handing of every domestic issue surveyed — health care policy, the economy, taxes, unemployment and the budget deficit, some by double-digit margins.

The latest CNN poll is interesting in its entirety. Click me.

You're right, he currently gets relatively low marks on multiple domestic issues. The question is, why?

In case they didn't report this part on Fox, - take a look at the numbers below, especially the bolded part of the response to #6. That's a clear majority at or to the left of the President. Not exactly just cause for teabagger elation.


4. Please tell me whether you agree or disagree that Barack Obama has the personality and leadership qualities a President should have.

Agree 64%, Disagree 35%


5. Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with Barack Obama on the issues that matter most to you.

Agree 49%, Disagree 50%


6. In general, would you say that President Obama's views and proposed programs for the country are too liberal, not liberal enough, or just about right for the country?

Too liberal 46%
Not liberal enough 10%
Just about right 42%

 

[WriterDom]

Too liberal 46%

That's a lot of people. And the ones that strongly disagree is at 40% according to Ras. strongly disagree=Hate.

 

[JMohegan]

Yep.

Though it makes me wonder what effin' rock our elected officials must live under. All it says to me is that ancient white men like HR have NO connection to the world outside and what people find respectful in it.

Maybe when you're an ancient white girl you'll understand.

To me, the word negro is associated with the speeches of Dr. King. I can still hear his voice, the voice of the preeminent hero-figure of my childhood, in my head.

Language shifts with generations, that's true. But there are African American people Reid's age who still refer to themselves as Negroes - including 50,000 who hand wrote NEGRO next to their classification on the last census. And for a 70 year old white guy to slip back to use of an outdated term in private conversation is, to me, neither surprising nor a big deal.

As a not-quite-ancient male who has lived through multiple waves of language preferences and cultural shifts, I have a deep appreciation for those with the capacity to distinguish between a mean-spirited or apathetic person, and (to borrow the President's wording) a good man who’s always been on the right side of history. And I've got nothing but disgust for those who are currently comparing Harry Reid to the likes of Trent Lott.

 

[JMohegan]

Too liberal 46%

That's a lot of people. And the ones that strongly disagree is at 40% according to Ras. strongly disagree=Hate.

Check this out.

We already knew that 46% of America considers him too liberal. That's why they voted for the hawk and his mean-spirited, know-nothing sidekick.

 

[Netzach]

Maybe when you're an ancient white girl you'll understand.

To me, the word negro is associated with the speeches of Dr. King. I can still hear his voice, the voice of the preeminent hero-figure of my childhood, in my head.

Language shifts with generations, that's true. But there are African American people Reid's age who still refer to themselves as Negroes - including 50,000 who hand wrote NEGRO next to their classification on the last census. And for a 70 year old white guy to slip back to use of an outdated term in private conversation is, to me, neither surprising nor a big deal.

As a not-quite-ancient male who has lived through multiple waves of language preferences and cultural shifts, I have a deep appreciation for those with the capacity to distinguish between a mean-spirited or apathetic person, and (to borrow the President's wording) a good man who’s always been on the right side of history. And I've got nothing but disgust for those who are currently comparing Harry Reid to the likes of Trent Lott.

It's simple as the nose on my face. Call people what they prefer you call them. If that changes en masse, respond. If a particular person told me "I prefer Negro" I'd adjust around them if I ever needed to use terminology referring to them.

Age has very little to do with it, other than being a convenient excuse, and being an insular animal that spends too much time on the Hill and not enough time among the peons shows. It's really not that hard to stop calling the girls at the office girls, the Hispanics Latinos who prefer it etc. etc. even at the respectable age of whatever. Howard Zinn manages to do it and he's of an age, right?

I'm not as much of a fan of the current democratic leadership (?) The people who are giving us this giant turd of a healthcare debacle are not at risk of going bankrupt when they catch a cold next. They don't get it, don't care, and should have NASCAR type logos on their suits to let us know who owns them. That's what the gaffe demonstrates to me.