They don't come out and say blacks are "not allowed"--of course that would be illegal. But it is well-known which bars cater to black crowds, and whites don't go there (the same is true of the bars that cater to white crowds). I was at a very popular local bar on Friday night that cateres to the middle class working type, not a redneck place at all. There were about 100 people in the place, yet not one black person, at least not that I saw. And the population where I live is about 30-40% black. It is very common here, particularly in more rural areas, and people seem to accept it.

First, that's not a uniquely Southern phenomenon. There are plenty of neighborhoods/bars in the north that cater to or are frequented by exclusively one race or another.

And second, you're right, a bar called "El Norte" with Tejano music thumping through the walls isn't exactly multi-cultural--but that doesn't mean, for example, that those people are racist and that they would vote against a ticket just because a candidate is a certain color.

Have you been to rural North Carolina? It's not Los Angeles. People make racist comments all the time (even "educated" people), and yes, that leads me to believe that those particular people would not vote for a black woman to be president. No, the entire south is not racist, but certain parts certainly are.

The base
 

Racist or not, courting women voters and the African-American vote is a much smarter strategy. The Dems are retooling right now and by 2008 they may running there own woman candiate. I made the Rice comment based off Bill Safire's comment on MTP this past Sunday, the reality of it is: McCain seems to be a top pick, but one must take into consdieration such a possiblity.

Sure racism still runs deep in the deep south, lets be honest here, but....political strategy by 2008 would appear to not factor them in as much, due to the dwindling minority of segregatioists left in this country. Strong political planning should take into consideration rising numbers of other populations, racist protestants in the south is a decling cultue of hate, and noticibly not really courted by Bush this time around.

In 2000 the Bush Bob Jones visit raised hell. Between that and his DWI, it was looking ominous for the Bushwhacker, but with some spin and the fumblings of Al Gore, a win was had by the GOP and the Bushies. This last election was more about faith, fear, and aleigence than anything else. 2008 may well require some fancy footwork, especially given that the Dems are looking to bump the Repubs in 2008. Counting somebody like Condi Rice out due to racisim is a bit too limitied, lets face it: by any means necessary. I think the conservatives, and the neo-cons are more intrested in seeing somebody with a principled vision, and if GW likes her enough, then she must be all right. I think her experience, her loyalty to GW, and her outlook trumps racism at this stage in America. If people consider Hillary a viable candidate then why not Condi.

- Walrus

Because the party is playing to the right, not the moderates. The Bob Jones and Phyllis Schlafly camps of the party are not ready to support a minority woman on the ticket. If the Democrats put forward a centrist candidate, than the Republicans will not be able to risk alienating the right wing unless they want to bank on a no-other-choice position.