It’s fairly common knowledge around here that McCain’s campaign suffers from voter apathy on several different levels. Not only is the general electorate disaffected with Republicans in general, the conservative base is not really that excited about their candidate either.
I think this voter apathy will last just as long as it takes the racists and bigots to realize that Obama actually has a chance to win. I realize that on this site, we not only think Obama has a chance to win, we are counting on it. And Obama has a both a current lead and historical precedent to lend credence to his campaign and counterbalance the hurdles that come with being the first viable minority presidential candidate.
But that’s around here. Out there (among the great unwashed) there is a segment of the population that truly does not believe that a black man is a viable candidate for the presidency. Granted I live in Tennessee, which (thank the Almighty) is not representative of the entire nation. But the folks around where I live ARE representative of the bigoted segment of the population that has not come to grips with the idea of a non-white POTUS. And when they wake up, they’re going to be pissed.
This diary is not scientific in nature, or if so, only loosely, and based on nothing more than my personal interactions with friends, acquaintances, family, in-laws, random strangers, co-workers and overheard conversations in my little corner of the world.
In my estimation, there is a contingent of people that have yet to face the reality of a minority taking up residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. I’ve decided to include a few example for those of you lucky enough to NOT be living in the knuckle-dragger capitol of the world. If the following seems really offensive and unbelievable, then you have my apologies and my envy of the area you call home.
Here are various quotes I have amassed just during the primary season:
"I guess we’ll all be voting for McCain, huh?" (assuming that everyone KNOWS there is no other option.)
"So it looks like McCain is our next President. I’m not sure I care much for him." (lesser of two evils, apparently)
"Can you believe they (Democratic Party) actually think anyone will vote for him (Obama)?"
"Man, they sure are making it easy for McCain, ain’t they?"
"I can’t believe someone hasn’t put a bullet in that niggers head yet." (delivered casually, like "I can’t believe the mail hasn’t arrived yet."
"What were they thinking? Can you a imagine one of them (black person) in the WHITE house. And especially a rag-headed one." (I’m assuming this is a Islam reference, but may be an insinuation that Obama is Arab? Who knows?)
"That poor fella actually thinks he has a prayer. You can tell by the way he talks."
"It’s not like people are going to vote for a black man. C’mon. This is still America."
"Wouldn’t that be a trip? As if we’d call someone like him President."
The ignorance inherent in these examples is the first thing that comes to mind, but that is not the essential theme. The less noticeable, but more important connection between all these statements is a fundamental denial that the election of Obama is a possibility.
We are still a good ways away from the election. Yes, people are aware that Obama is running. But it all seems too theoretical to some. The reality might not set in at all, but I think it eventually will. The question is what will happen when that epiphany occurs?
It is my speculation that as the election draws near and as the more racist elements in our society come to terms with the very real possibility of Obama’s election, they will become a VERY vocal and motivated portion of McCain’s base. How much this will effect the polls or increase monetary donations is anyone’s guess. But I think it will happen.
It won’t be called out for what it is, of course. Larry King is not going to ask a campaign surrogate to explain McCains recent bump in the ramp-up to the election and have the answer come back, "’cause the rednecks just realized how frickin’ close we are to having a President that isn’t white and it’s scaring the bejeezus out of ‘em."
It will most likely be attributed to "independent indecision" or more likely "Obama’s inability to close the deal", especially knowing our awesome MSM’s lack of new meme’s to beat to death. But it’s coming.
There is a significant number of racists and bigots, especially in the southern and Appalachian regions, who do not yet believe that the election of Obama is even in the realm of possibility. Eventually, they will wise up. When they do, there will be a bump in McCain’s numbers. How big of a bump may finally give us a fairly clear, quantifiable look at exactly how much of a race problem we still have in America.