Republican Racism in Debates is an Air Raid Siren, Not a Dog Whistle

[Hissyspit]

http://www.alternet.org/teaparty/153819/republican_racism_is_an_air_raid_siren%2C_not_a_dog_whistle/?page=entire

AlterNet / By Chauncey DeVega 2 COMMENTS

Republican Racism is an Air Raid Siren, Not a Dog Whistle

Republican candidates are overtly signaling that whiteness and American identity are intertwined.

January 19, 2012
 
On his MSNBC show Hardball, Chris Matthews called out Newt Gingrich and other Republicans for what he described as their "dog whistle" appeals to white racism during the South Carolina debate on Monday night.

He was correct in identifying the work that racism does for the Tea Party GOP and its candidates in their efforts to win over white conservative voters. However, Chris Matthews was too generous and kind. Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and other Republican candidates are not engaging in subtle dog whistles to their faithful, where racism and white racial anxiety hides in the background, masked and hidden by other language.

Definitions matter: dog whistle politics are based on a signal or cue to the in-group, and one so subtle that those not in the know will overlook it as no more than quixotic background noise, a blip, a comment without context or meaning.

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In all, the Tea Party GOP's campaign for the presidency rests upon marshaling white anger and rage at The Usurper, a perpetual Other, and one not fit for the presidency by virtue of his birth and skin color--he who we know as President Barack Obama. If Birtherism is not based on this calculation, on what else does it rest?

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[newfie11]

1. Holding the bible in one hand as they preach racism in the other

Come on Christians, is this what Jesus would do??? Its ok to have affairs, steal money, buy elections, hide money off shore to keep from paying taxes, etc if your a repug.
All ya gotta do is say your sorry and all is forgiven.

But of course this craziness fly's over their heads. They just can't see it.

[G_j]

2. K&R