I believe that there is a tremendous amount of hidden racial prejudice in the electorate. In the general population, the percentage of people harboring these feelings increases with age. There are also pockets of strong racial prejudice where even age doesn't matter.
This doesn't seem to bode very well for getting Obama elected in a close election. However, the point I think everyone is missing is that celebrity has the ability to transcend race among those who harbor hidden prejudice. You only have to look at Tiger Woods, Michael Jordon or Will Smith and realize that celebrity can transcend race. Heck, even some overt racists don't look at these guys as black and are able to suspend their racist views towards them.
In my opinion, the more Obama can increase his celebrity, the more he can transcend his race and make it irrelevant to the election. The irony to me is that John McCain's whole celebrity attack on Obama only helped to take race out of the election. This is especially strange, since I believe that the racial prejudice of the electorate is the only way that McCain can win.
I believe that there is a tremendous amount of hidden racial prejudice in the electorate. In the general population, the percentage of people harboring these feelings increases with age. There are also pockets of strong racial prejudice where even age doesn't matter.
This doesn't seem to bode very well for getting Obama elected in a close election. However, the point I think everyone is missing is that celebrity has the ability to transcend race among those who harbor hidden prejudice. You only have to look at Tiger Woods, Michael Jordon or Will Smith and realize that celebrity can transcend race. Heck, even some overt racists don't look at these guys as black and are able to suspend their racist views towards them.
In my opinion, the more Obama can increase his celebrity, the more he can transcend his race and make it irrelevant to the election. The irony to me is that John McCain's whole celebrity attack on Obama only helped to take race out of the election. This is especially strange, since I believe that the racial prejudice of the electorate is the only way that McCain can win.
The more familiar that Obama becomes among these voters, the more comfortable they will be with him. It is important that he increase his celebrity status as much as possible and people think of him as "Barack" rather than "the black candidate".
I have heard many calls for Obama to get angrier on the campaign trail and I think this is extremely bad advice. Obama needs to remain the friendly, smart, non-threatening black man if he is to transcend race among those who harbor hidden doubts. I despise this thought, however, I also believe it to be the absolute truth and the only way that Obama has a chance at many of these voters with hidden prejudices.
I think the election in the end, has nothing to do with John McCain and it will come down to Obama's celebrity versus Obama's race. If his celebrity transcends his race, he will win and I believe it will be a glorious day for America.
This is my first diary entry, so please be kind.