Racist Dems and the Libertarian Alternative
Racists and race baiters in the Democratic Party are now the only thing keeping the nomination from Barack Obama. The way Hillary and her minions stoked the Jeremiah Wright controversy will go down as one of the most successful racist appeals in political history---- right up with Willie Horton. I expect racist campaigns from Republicans but seeing race baiting succeed with Democratic voters is disappointing and disgusting.
Hillary’s only effective weapon has been the race card. She and Bill pitted Latinos against African-Americans in California and Texas. Jeremiah Wright’s idiotic but irrelevant comments allowed the Clintons to save their campaign. Hillary has found prominent allies in her race baiting including Bill O’Reilly who invited her on his show so she could win over his angry white audience.
Howard Dean’s refusal to condemn Hillary’s tactics is one of the most cowardly displays I have seen in my long career. (Howard, ever hear the phrase “Silence is Complicity”?) And why don’t the super delegates stop the madness by automatically rallying around the people’s choice? Do they fear a black man leading their ticket? Passive racism and cowardice have always posed the greatest threat to racial progress in America. Rabid racists are easy to spot and confront. The latent racism that now threatens to rip apart the Democratic Party is much more insidious, elusive and powerful.
If the Democratic Party gives into the racists and hands the nomination to Hillary, they will deal a devastating blow to racial harmony in America. For the good of the country, I hope Dean and the super delegates are not that craven and stupid. But if they are, the Libertarian Party and I will warmly welcome Obama supporters, black voters and the anti-war movement. Running against Clinton and McCain, I will be the only anti-war, anti-racist candidate. My record (pro-civil rights, pro-fair tax, pro-gay marriage) will attract millions of Obama supporters, Libertarians, and progressives. And together we will bring real change to the White House.
Senator Mike Gravel
