Race is undeniably a factor in a state like Pennsylvania. But the racism is primarily focused in an older slice of the electorate not yet recovered from life long patterns of ignorance. Obama may lose a few defectors, but he will more than make up for it with the formerly disaffected young, progressive, and independent voters, who are the future of the party.

Those Hillary supporters who are not part of this tiny group of old school racists, should stop relying upon this so-called weakness in Obama's electability. It is unseemly and inconsistent with the empowerment of the emerging majority of Democrats who don't vote against Hillary based on her gender (indeed this is her strong suit for many Obama supporters).

It is inevitable that some older voters, especially in the south and a few northern states like Pennsylvania, will defect. But feminists and other women who simply dream of seeing a woman in the White House, should rejoice that Obama is also a feminist and a man who represents the present and future.

We must unite, expand, and ignore the small slice of racists who remain in the party. They will be insignificant in the final analysis.

John - while I agree that it is in all likelihood a small slice of the people and maybe it is older and more ingrained I would like to suggest that rather than us all ignoring them, we instead just not be engaged by or afraid of them. Even racists get to speak in America. And THAT is really the beauty of America. Not because someone says awful stuff, but that they CAN say it.

We've had hate and fear forced down our throats for 8 years of Bush/Cheney and they were positively masters of expoloiting longer-held prejudices and divisiveness. There are LOTS of people in Bush's America who are frustrated, angry, bitter and feel like they have had no voice. And not all of them sound like me! (I know, voice of reason that I am that's a real shock!) But I think it would be a great change in America for people - ALL people - to be able to speak and be heard.

And, in the end, after we've spoken and yelled and ranted and demanded our rights - we listen to Obama. In his own words. Go to the Obamain30seconds.org site and watch some of those 30 second clips, especially the ones where he is talking.

He is amazing. Inspiring. He is a lot better person than *I* am. He is able to have a longer view, a broader view and a less strident view.

I guess that's why he's running and I'm not! :) But I sure as hell am glad to vote for him. Being from Florida I know my primary vote didn't count. SO what! I'll vote for him November. When it really counts!

Artandsoul;

I agree with every word. However, I wonder what you mean by your point that they should be heard. They certainly are being heard, but, in my view, overrated.

If hatred were really an idea, it would be expressed openly in debate. Instead it is a left-over fom days when many of us could not walk the streets without fear of violence if we raised our heads.

No one should be surprised if resentment flares when so-called progressive politicians demand that we pander to the race-motivated vote, by calling them "low income white rural seniors." They may fit that demographic, but it is the tradition of intolerance that drives a small number of them away from Obama.

It is this small number I would not pander to, and I wish they would speak their minds rather than hiding behind false arguments like "electability."

Oh I think we're on the same page! Yes, people who hate are being heard.

I'm only saying that an option for response going forward is that we don't have to be afraid of people who spout that - nor do we have to answer to it - nor do we have to sink to it.

When I see and hear Obama in HIS own words he really does speak to something I can believe in. And so much of that belief is in the humanity of others.

Being from the south for generations there is plenty of racism in my family. Much of my ancestry is blue-collar, working-man and woman, white, Confederat-till-I-die kinds of people. We lovingly refer to ourselves as Florida Crackers. <grimace>

But even so, with all that behind me I have 3 daughters in college. All three work for the Obama campaigns at their schools. My oldest daughter had never heard the N-word until she read "Tom Sawyer" in middle school. So it CAN change! We, as a family, have change- we, as Americans, can change too.

I took my mother to a "coffee with Michelle Obama" fundraiser. She didn't want to go. But she did - I pressured her as did my 19 year old daughter. So we went, three generations of southern, blue-collar, white women. It was a fantastic two hours!

My mom has an Obama yard sign. She has told my dad if he won't vote for Obama in November he's not going to the polls! (They've been married 53 years, I'll let them work it out!) But her point is - she believed what Michelle Obama was talking about. She felt that thing that many of us feel when we hear Obama speak.

I think it's called Hope. And I guess all I was really trying to say is that Hope can CHANGE those people who are so filled with hate, while silencing them even more can often lead to more hatred.

Peace!

Obama '08

John - one more thing, I totally agree that hate-speech and thinly-veiled bigotry should not be tolerated, much less encouraged! I don't want you to think that's what I'm saying.

I'm just trying to say that there are MILLIONS of Americans of all ages, shapes, colors and sizes who are ready, willing and able to move past our common and troubled past when it comes to race.

That doesn't mean that everyone is there.

Those of us who are ready and who believe in a future of unity CAN do so out of a position of strength, not out of fear. Not fear of the racist. Never. That is the worst fear!