The Home of Steven Barnes
Author, Teacher, Screenwriter


Wednesday, November 28, 2007

On Obama and Hillary

Interesting thing this morning: Barbara Streisand came out in support of Hillary, saying that it would be great to say "Madame President." That's fine, and I've heard it before...and noticed that female celebrities and commentators are free to openly state they are voting (at least partially) by gender in a way that black celebrities and commentators supporting Obama CANNOT do in relation to race. Oprah can't say "because it would be great to have a Brother in the White House." Part of this is just numbers: Hillary can evote gender and thereby appeal to 51% of the voting public: a winning position. If Obama related to a black constituency only, it would be just 11% of the vote--an automatic losing position. Interesting how this game is being played here in the 4th quarter, with the score getting closer...

4 comments:

Daniel Keys Moran said...

Steve -- having any problems lifting on your fast days?

I was getting sore lifting -- I thought it might be lack of protein for repair, so I moved lifting to eating days, and it stopped.

Steven Barnes said...

No...but I don't do heavy lifting. KBs aren't really heavy. However, if you wanted to, you could certainly try downing a protein shake on your weight days. I doubt it would make much negative difference in the positive effects of I.F.

Anonymous said...

For what it's worth, I'd support Obama over Hillary. But then, my pick is John Edwards.

I am going entirely on issues and leadership here. Both Hillary and Obama have been very leery of actually picking up the banner of opposition to the Republicans. I want someone who isn't afraid of them-- as so many of our Democratic representatives seem to be.

Hmm. Now that I've said that, I have to wonder. Perhaps Hillary and Obama are reining it in because of the disadvantages they have in not being white males. Perhaps they don't feel they have the leeway that Edwards has to... well, lead. For fear of being seen as uppity.

Does that mean they should get a pass on it? Do we let them skate by and hope that once one of them is safely in office, such opposition will actually take place? I'm not being accusatory here, I honestly don't know. This has given me something to think about.

Anonymous said...

I'd rather have Obama in the White House than Hillary any day, and race/gender has nothing to do with it.