race and gender in America

Here is another puzzle nobody can figure out. Or maybe better to say, nobody wants to figure out. Support for the Republican party is at an all time low. Poll numbers show people are yearning for a Democrat to become president. According to the Wall Street Journal, positive feelings towards Republicans run at 27%, the lowest ever. 73% of the people polled said they believe the country is on the wrong track. President Bush is polling so poorly, he even surpassed his father's all time low record set in 1992. His handling of the economy found support with only 21% of the responders.

Furthermore, when it comes to what the poll calls "generic presidential preference," Democrats stand at 51% and Republicans at 33%. Yet Senator McCain, whose pro-Bush policies are raising concern, and whose age is worrying voters, polls nearly even with either Democratic candidate. When asked which "Candidate shares my values" McCain hits 54% while Obama and Clinton poll in the low 40s. Do you know what that means?

Just imagine for a moment that the Democratic party were running a likable, white male candidate. Do you think these numbers would be the same ? I dare say Senator McCain would poll so poorly as to be irrelevant. The race would be over before it began.

Here is the real surprise though, everybody claims they "do not understand these numbers." Rather they are reluctant to state the obvious but highly politically incorrect truth: many voters do not want a black man or a white woman. That is what the numbers really show. They do not show that McCain is somehow appealing or comforting, what they do show is that Obama and Clinton are not. "Shares my values," should read, "is white and male" like a "real president."

Some networks, eg. CNN, have on occasion brought up this viewpoint only to dismiss it as quickly as possible. Sort of like a dare. The pollsters quickly pointed out that age was even more of a concern to voters than race or gender. They stated that McCain was at a disadvantage. It never occurred to them that maybe it is easier to admit to a pollster that age worries you, than to say that you don't trust a woman or a black person.

Be it as it may, Senator McCain chances are actually quite good, as some foreign correspondents -who don't have to pay lip service to gender and race issues in America- were quick to point out. In the real election, voters won't be shy to show their mistrust for either Obama or Clinton. Recent events have shown a "politically correct way" to disavow Obama. Ironically enough, that opportunity came about all on through the misguided actions of one Reverend Jeremiah Wright. Here is a great way to express one's hidden racism. It is perfectly OK to say that we do not share values with Reverend Wright and all that he stands for. And as for Clinton, well there is just an unlimited number of acceptable ways to denounce her without appearing sexist.