Think of the children
May 7, 2008 by John Rich
The Democratic Party continues to treat blacks like children. They’re assumed to always be there, obedient little tykes, who will pull the lever for the Democratic candidate in overwhelming numbers.
Now that a black man is the likely Democratic nominee, those overwhelming numbers have gotten even more so: 90% of blacks can be counted on to vote for the man who is going to deliver them from the land of Egypt and Pharaoh. Or something along those messianic lines.
The reality is that some superdelegates seem to be having buyer’s remorse, because they sense a difficult election ahead. More difficult than facing the Ice Queen Hillary? Yes, if only because John McCain does not have her carloads of baggage. And he’s a man of honor and experience, of which Hillary had only the latter — if being married to Bill counts.
So, consider the plight of one superdelegate, Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC) (via the WaPo):
Rep. Brad Miller, an undecided superdelegate from North Carolina, said on the eve of his state’s primary that he would be uncomfortable telling the African American community in his Raleigh area district that he would choose Clinton over Obama simply because he deemed her more electable.
For “uncomfortable” you may read “scared witless.” If Miller, and other supers, believe that Obama is likely to lose to McCain, then shouldn’t they do what they’re supposed to do, and serve the greater interests of the Democratic Party?
Rhetorical question. Of course they should. But they treat their black constituents like children, unable to handle the truth. If blacks believe that any black man (or woman) is entitled to be president by virtue of his race, then they are children. Or stone racists.
How about we treat people like people, and tell them the truth as we see it? Rep. Miller’s truth may be different than mine, or yours. But doesn’t he owe it to his constituents to do so? And isn’t he engaging in a not-so-soft racism by assuming that blacks can’t handle the truth?
Yes, and yes. Don’t hold your breath, though. The supers will do what politicians usually do: take the easy road.
