Who's Ahead in the Race?

As much as I hate the idea of politicizing my blog, I do want my blog to be relevant and to have more readers. In order to do that, it is necessary for me do discuss issues that are current and topical and what is more topical right now than politics? I’ve already discussed where I stand on the issues, mostly in the center to be honest, so I won’t rehash that. What I will do though is walk right up to the biggest white elephant in the room, the one that some are talking about but few with any level of controversial honesty, and punch it square in the face. Obviously I am talking about race. Good old black versus white, good versus evil, Apollo Creed versus Rocky Balboa, Rocky Marciano versus Joe Louis, Tiger Woods versus Fuzzy Zoeller, Obama versus McCain.
Anyone out there saying that race isn’t playing much of a factor in this year’s election is a fool. As sad as it is, there will be white voters who haven’t been to the polls in decades crawling out from under their rocks nationwide to vote this year. Will they be voting in favor of McCain’s healthcare package or Obama’s promise to improve America’s educational system? No! They will be voting because they don’t want a black man in the White House. If you went up to any of them and ask them to discuss the issues they wouldn’t have a clue, which is sad. Unfortunately you wouldn’t be able to identify them because they would never have the courage to say aloud that they are voting strictly on race.
Although they will be outnumbered at the polls by the white racist voters, only because they are in the minority of the population, there are going to be record setting numbers of black voters at the polls this year, too. Just like their white counterparts, they will be voting solely based on skin color. Only they will be voting for Obama.
The funny thing about the white voters not voting for the black guy is that most of those people will come from the lower middle class and below, the classes most likely to be helped by Barack Obama. Voting for Obama would be more beneficial to them but who cares about small things like public programs or economic and foreign policy? But would voting for Obama make more sense for them? The middle and lower class are the ones at risk of losing jobs to the immigrants that the Democratic Party will continue to allow into the country. Once again, who cares about issues, right? As long as we keep the black guy, or the white guy, depending on which side you’re on, out of the White House.
What is at risk for the country is increased and widespread racial tension. Right now the polls have Barack Obama way ahead. But what if those polls are influenced by white guilt? How many white people are telling pollsters that they are voting for Obama because they fear being labeled a racist? Seems silly but tell me that, if you are a white reader, you haven’t been guilty of seeing a black person on TV saying that they are voting for Obama and thinking that they’re only voting for him because he is black. I’ll admit it, I’m guilty. It’s the nature of the beast. Because of that I would be hesitant to tell someone that I intend to vote for John McCain (I still haven’t made up my mind, btw).
Imagine CNN declaring McCain the winner after polls had Obama ahead by more than 10 points. Chaos would ensue. The reaction within parts of the white community would be similar. Just yesterday the ATF arrested two skinheads who were plotting to shoot up a black school and then target Barack Obama if he were elected. These criminal masterminds were going to drive towards Obama shooting at him out the window. Good luck with that plan, jackasses. But if any of these mentally challenged white supremacy groups, ones that are a bit more organized, were successful in assassinating Obama? Yes, chaos. If the GOP is holding some ace up their sleeve and reveals, post Obama election, that they have proof that he is not an American citizen and move to impeach, you guessed it, chaos. I think that whole citizenship issue is just the GOP grasping at straws in order to save a very poorly run campaign.
Personally, I hope that the majority of the voters this year are making an informed decision based on careful research and a close examination of the candidates’ respective platforms. Regardless of who wins or loses there is going to be a lot of unhappy people on November 5th. Let’s just help that cooler heads prevail and we move forward as a nation united, not divided.