Edwards' base

[margotb822]

Edwards was the candidate who dealt with these issues. Who is going to focus on them now? Where are his voters going to go?

Working-Class Whites

Vote Edwards! (I did!)

[jackson_dem]

1. Edwards focused on working-class folks of all stripes

He just never got beyond 1-2% among blacks this time (he did well in 2004), despite a flawless record on black issues, and struggled among Latinos, although with the latter he was at least competitive with Obama and in some polls equal to him in Latino support. The reason there is an association of him with working-class whites is they are the only working folk who were receptive to Edwards' populist message to any significant degree.

[margotb822]

2. No offense

But it goes to show how many people are voting based on race rather than issue.

[jackson_dem]

3. The role identity politics has played this year has been shameful

We haven't come as far as we thought...

Here's what I said about the issue earlier tonight: "The fact is white Democrats in the South are as likely to vote for someone of their color as black Democrats are (how do you think St. Obama won South Carolina? He ran third, sixteen points behind Edwards among whites but beat Edwards, a man with a flawless record on black issues running a populist campaign that was the first to target poverty in decades, by 77 points among blacks.). I don't see Obamites calling the latter racist. We know why: because they are voting "correctly", that is for St. Obama. If someone dares to vote against him there must be a sinister reason. How could one not be swayed by a compelling message of "hope and change"?

Do I believe racism is a factor? Yes. The results are too fucked up to be statistical flukes (Edwards' SC performance is the best example). Do I think most southern Democrats, of both colors are racist? No. I think identity politics is a factor nationally (for example what substantive things does Hillary offer women that Obama doesn't and Edwards didn't?) and an even bigger factor in the South. This is partly due to the decision of the Obama camp to inject race into the campaign (Obama did it first)."

[margotb822]

4. Also

Just count the number of Obama supporters who say they won't vote in November if Obama isn't the candidate. They are not committed to Democratic principles, they are committed to race. I would include Hillary supporters in this, but they haven't been as vocal about gender voting.

[jackson_dem]

5. Most Obamites are white

Some of them are Obamites, not Democrats. There are as many of them supporting Hillary as well and there are some Edwardians who won't vote for the Democratic candidate either. I don't think we can criticize Obamites for having a monopoly on this.

[FrenchieCat]

6. Just count the number of Edwards supporters who say they will vote

for Edwards, although he's no longer running.

I really don't have a problem with that. Because people are free to vote for who they want to.

However, it appears that you believe otherwise.

And it is y'all the ones bringing up race and gender into this conversation y'all are smuggly having, not an Obama supporter. So I'm not sure why you're over here talking about what Obama supporters are doing. I suggest that you do a quick look into the mirror....at yourself.

I'm just saying, lets keep the facts straight from the get.

[margotb822]

7. No one said politics was clear cut

I am just recounting my observations. Maybe it has just been my observations of black Obama supporters, but I have noticed an unwillingness to vote for a candidate other than Obama. I would like to know what issues these supporters are unwilling to compromise on. Also, the Democratic party is counting on these voters in November. There have been record primary numbers, but should the Nov predictions be adjusted to reflect this stance?

[FrenchieCat]

9. Maybe Folks like what Obama has to say......

Ever thought of that?

Edwards supporters believe it to be a mighty good reason/excuse to support Edwards, the issue thing, I mean......but last I looked, Edwards wasn't so special till he held a corner market on all of the issues that deal with the downtrotten.

Know that there are quite a number of fools on this forum. I am not one of them.

[jackson_dem]

He has the same things to say as Hillary on the issues

[FrenchieCat]

10. And also let "Ignored" know, who appears to be addressing me in this thread,

that he must've earned that status, cause I don't ignore good rationale folks, even if I might not agree with their views. :shrug:

[jackson_dem]

11. I earned that status by pointing out Obama's flip flops on war funding

Against, for, against.

[jackson_dem]

8. That isn't the same as not voting for the Democrat in the general

The celebrity $130 million candidates are not entitled to Edwardian support in the primaries. What they should expect, though, from real Democrats is support in the general if they win. There are as many fake Democrats among the Edwards camp as there are among Obamites and Hillarite.s

[sandnsea]

12. The guy who organized in low income communities

and has stood up for working class people for 20 years. That would be my guess.