The 2008 Republican Ticket?

[smoothmoniker]

I think a black women with conservative credentials would sweep the election. If the republicans pull even 5% of the african american vote away from the Dems, they sweep every state. In fact, I think the republican party is the only place a minority could come from to win the office.

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by smoothmoniker

I think a black women with conservative credentials would sweep the election. If the republicans pull even 5% of the african american vote away from the Dems, they sweep every state. In fact, I think the republican party is the only place a minority could come from to win the office.

But how much of their core would they lose among the "I'm not really a racist" Southern conservatives?

[smoothmoniker]

Originally Posted by richlevy

But how much of their core would they lose among the "I'm not really a racist" Southern conservatives?

None.

1) I think you seriously overestimate the racism of the southern conservatives.

And B) Who else are they going to vote for? The gay-lovin' Dems? doubtful. That's like saying that Kerry lost the environment vote for not taking a stronger line against big oil. They may not have been happy with him, but they sure as hell voted for him.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Jeb Bush has even more dirty laundry than GW ever did. Jeb is neck deep in Iran-Contra era entanglements as well as 1980's S&L dirt. That's one of the biggest reasons they ran GW, he was the least dirty, if you can belive that. Unlike the Kennedy's the Bush family's standard bearer didn't die in combat, he got chewed up with bad business deals in the backwater, backslapping, drug politics of Florida, no way can they run him.

Do you really think that would slow Rove down? Jeb's out there getting International exposure as we speak.

[garnet]

Originally Posted by smoothmoniker

None.

1) I think you seriously overestimate the racism of the southern conservatives.

I don't think it's overstated at all. I live in the south (I'm not a native) and have spent a bit of time in rural North Carolina for weekend getaways. I am still appalled by the open (and seemingly accepted) racism here. Somebody makes a blatantly racist comment and nobody blinks an eye. There are bars that have "black only" nights and whites don't go near the place on those nights. No, it's not posted on the signs, it's just known and accepted. Segregation and racism is alive and well in lots of places in the south--and more common than you think.

[lookout123]

do they have "white only" nights where blacks aren't allowed? it doesn't seem like that would be allowed for to long without a spotlight being directed at it.

[garnet]

Originally Posted by lookout123

do they have "white only" nights where blacks aren't allowed? it doesn't seem like that would be allowed for to long without a spotlight being directed at it.

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.