If a republican candidate and their surrogates had created the same pattern of events we have unfolding in the Clinton campaign wouldn't the reaction of the entire progressive community be one of outrage and contempt?
Let's imagine for a moment that a republican candidate, running against and african-american democratic candidate had spoken "carelessly" regarding the relationship of MLK, LBJ, and civil rights. And then refused to just admit they had spoken carelessly and continued to try to defend the comments.
Let's imagine a former republican presidential candidate had spoken "carelessly" about the african-american candidate in the same way Bill Clinton did. Specifically using the words, "kid" and "fairy-tale."
Let's imagine a republican surrogate used the term "shuck & jive" when discussing what does and does not work on the stump in a race between an african american democrat and a caucasian republican.
Let's imagine that there were repeated allusions by at least three of the republican candidate's surrogates to the african american candidate's admitted drug use as a teenager.
Let's imagine that surrogates of the republican candidate were suing to disenfranchise the members of a union with large numbers of women, minorities and low-wage earners from voting in the election
What would our reaction be? What should our reaction be? How many related events can be overlooked or rationalized away before we would admit a distinct pattern?
To be clear - I do not think the Clintons are racist. They've been on the right side of the issue for too long. But I do believe that they would do anything to win this election - and if that means using race-baiting language to derail the substance of the campaign and refocus it on race in the hopes that white-america would reject the black candidate, then I believe they would do it without a second thought.
Prior to Iowa I was so excited to take back the White House in 2008. I figured our nominee would be Hillary Clinton and I was excited to vote for her. My heart was always with Obama - ever since the 2004 Convention - but I never thought he had any chance at winning. Now, I'm not sure I can stand in that voting booth and actually vote for Hillary. The thought turns my stomach - doubly so because I believe the tactics she is employing in her single-minded effort to win the nomination may estrange no small number of democratic voters and hurt the democratic party down the ticket in November.