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I am most afraid of dying?

73 votes, 11 comments

I don't think the idea that people vote for those like them is offensive or uncommon. I also think it is very accurate that many Hilary or Obama supporters attribute at least part of their zeal to the desire to help elect the first woman or black President. Take Oprah, for example. Does anyone think she's highly involved in Obama's campaign because she identifies with his policy? Is there some fundamental issue or capability he has that has drawn her to such advocacy where she has previously not been so engaged? I doubt it. The difference maker is the color of his skin - plain and simple.

Looking at the list of other Presidential contributors, I think it's easy to see Obama gets a lot of [[ support from black celebrities]]. According to CNN, the following black celebrities gave only to Obama: Tyra Banks, Tyra Banks, Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Morgan Freeman, Jamie Foxx, Louis Gossett, Jasmine Guy, Hill Harper, Dennis Haysbert, Branford Marsalis, Eddie Murphy, Sidney Poitier, Chris Rock, Will Smith, Isaiah Washington, Forest Whitaker and (of course) Oprah Winfrey.

Getting back to my main point, I don't think this is a big deal. Of course, I realize the idiocy involved in claiming a particular race or gender would automatically make someone a better President, but it's easy to see how voting based on those factors isn't necessarily idiotic. There are many who could care less which Democratic candidate gets elected - for whatever reason. They just aren't that into politics - the issues, the debates, the analysis. They are, however, proud of their race or gender and they very much want to see it have a higher profile or more "power." Thus, race/gender becomes the determining factor - without insulting the voter beyond the fact that they are only informed enough to choose a party and not a particular candidate.

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[[ support from black celebrities]]

Disregard the brackets; the intended link is in the following sentence.

You know how they always say that newspapers are written at a dramatically dumbed down level to ensure the masses can read them? Look at the part regarding 9-17 year old's being unable to read a newspaper. The CNN article in question scores an elementary school reading requirement using the Blog Readability Test. Stereotypically speaking, the assessment may be right on the money. However, the delegates will be a much higher caliber of voter (I hope!) in which case the anger is well directed. Still, even if the assessment is "accurate" for the general group - is it something that should be said? I'm not a very PC person myself, but when you're a national voice you might have a responsibility to do so.