Thomas Schaller writes about race and Democrats in the South.
Hold aside Florida and Louisiana, and in general the blacker the southern state, the wider George W. Bush’s margins were during the past two presidential elections.
Consider Mississippi, the state with the highest share of African Americans. According to exit polls, 90 percent of black Mississippians voted for John Kerry in 2004...Democrats effectively started the 50-yard dash to a statewide electoral majority at somewhere between the 25-yard line and the 30-yard line, yet still finished second -- by a wide margin, no less.
I agree that the pandering flannel-shirts n' NASCAR stuff isn't going to win white rural southerners to the Dems. But I think the Virginia strategy is plausible: treat people like adults, give meaningful examples of economic opportunity, and you have a shot at their votes.
I don't know if southerners will ever agree to be punished for their skin color. Affirmative Action will not be embraced in my lifetime. At least not with the people I know.
PS My congressman (Brad Miller) was asked about AA and said he was in favor of it. He was a strong supporter. He then said not for quotas only to ensure the best person was hired for the job. What does hiring the best person have to do with AA. I thought it was about making up for past indiscreations by hiring/enrolling less qualified minorities. Perhaps I'm wrong again.
Posted by: Bill | Jun 22, 2006 at 07:18 PM