General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: The only reason Hillary lost in 2008 was Obama took away the Clinton's African American base [View all]freshwest
(53,661 posts)I find the language of the OP offensive in tone at the very end and do not accept the premise blacks were somehow a voting block that voted solely on race.
But sadly, a great many white voters I thought to be Democrats did not accept a black Democrat when Hillary did not win the nomination. They literally jumped ship and voted for McCain and never came back, so I think I never really knew them at all. I see the OP echoing a RW meme claiming black racism elected Obama.
Be that as it may, I will answer on two things:
Hillary lost this white vote for her stances on issues that were important to me. The Iraq War, etc. Her performance at the pirmary debate with my favorite candidates, outraged me. But Obama struck me as the kind of level-headed, thoughtful and principled person I wanted in the White House. My opinion of Obama hasn't changed, he has proven to me that he 'gets it.' The more the 2008 campaign continued, I felt Hillary did not speak for me.
If there is no other viable Democratic candidate in 2016 other than Hillary... Well, hell. I don't know what to do.
You are speaking for me right here, well said:
...focused on high level infringement on civil liberties - they won't be able to focus on the most basic level - such as voting rights for minorities...
There are a lot of people who don't see a problem there. I see a major one that will give Teapublicans or Libertarians their liberty and freedom to destroy the entire country.
If Obama could run again, I would vote for him again. If Hillary is the candidate opposed to Paul, I'd be forced to vote for her. But will others do so?
And if blacks do have a great black candidate and are the main workers for making happen, I see no call to insist a woman is the next president. Obama has been called the First Feminist President. It's about the principles and policies, not the vessel.
Just my two cents. I'll try to scan down and see your other replies you refer to in this subthread.