BernieHund: The Political Watchdog

Going into the Democratic primary season, I thought, hoped, that the Democratic Party had arrived at the point that discussing issues that matter to the American people would be more important than issues that don’t really qualify a candidate.  At this point I am sick and tired of hearing about race and gender.  When this whole primary season is over and we finally have a nominee, believe it or not, Barack Obama is still going to be part black, part white, and Hillary Clinton is still going to be a woman. 

As I look back over the primaries and the rhetoric that has distracted many of the voters, I think when it comes to the next round of presidential primaries we should settle the question of race and gender before we put names on ballots.  Perhaps, the Democrats could hold a national general questionaire…. something like “Would you vote for a woman for President? or “Would you vote for an African American for President?”  Obviously, those questions are getting more press coverage than the real issues these days.

First of all, I would really appreciate someone telling me why it makes a difference if the President of the United States is a man or a woman.  Why is it okay for Hillary Clinton to be a senator from New York, doing an good job in the senate, but presumably to some less qualified to be elected president than a man from the senate or any other place.  When I hear people say they would never vote for a woman, I would just like to know why…. and “because she’s a woman” isn’t an answer.

And, of course I would greatly appreciate someone telling me why the President of the United States has to be a white, anglo-saxon protestant.  What’s up with that?  Why wouldn’t we vote for the best person for the office?  So, that brings us to Barack Obama.  There have been a few, very few, people who have said during interviews that race mattered in the presidential race.  But, no one has asked why?  That’s a question I would like to have answered.

At this point in time… and it seems like this primary season has been going on for most of my life… is there anyone who is going to vote who doesn’t know that Hillary Clinton is a woman and Barack Obama is half-back half-white (or thereabouts)?  If we can agree that voters know these facts, then what is the necessity to keep referring to Clinton as the first woman or Obama as the first black man to run for the presidency?

But, whatever I believe, there seems to be a prejudice by some against women, by others against African Americans, and by some a prejudice against both.  And, for some of us, we would just like to hear about issues that matter.  Frankly, I don’t care if we elect a two foot tall one armed pink alien if he/she/it can help resolve some of the real issues that are facing Americans today.

Yet, recent polls suggest

According to a new report by The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, half of white women now have a negative perception of Obama.

Additionally,

White men, in general and among Democrats, have only shown a slight drop off in their perception of Obama – one-third of the shift seen in white women. About 20 percent of Democratic white men have an unfavorable view of Obama, a figure which has remained stable since February.

My question of those polled would be are they disappointed that Hillary Clinton has not done as well as expected?  Or, is it because a prejudice against race has come into play?

The issues… the real ones… have remained the same, although emphasis has shifted from the War in Iraq to the out of control economy.  And, let us not forget the healthcare and education issues.  But, the same issues are present and except for a slight tweaking of policy positions, the candidates stand in the same position they did on day one.

I’ve been wrong before, but it seems to me that once we get past the primaries and the Democrats settle in on a candidate, we need to unite as one party and whether our primary candidate becomes the general election candidate or not, we need to concentrate on getting the best man or woman elected to the office of President.

Of course… once the primaries are over and we head into the general election, the rhetoric will change to the oldest candidate (McCain) vs. the black candidate or the woman candidate.  And, I suppose in January, some reporter on some channel will be saying the oldest man elected to the Office of President or the first black man elected President or the first woman elected President.  And, what will it all mean if we vote for or against a person based on age, gender or race?