Is Racism a Factor in Conservative Opposition to Pres. Obama?

[Frodo]

I just happened to see this question in this morning's Express (shorter version of the Washington Post distributed to Metro riders).  Funny, because I was thinking about it all weekend after the anti-Obama protests on the Mall on Saturday, in which the overwhelming majority of the participants were white. 

[Franzl]

I don't think so, they'd be acting just as crazily if Hillary were President.

[dead0man]

It is certainly a factor with some of them, but as Franzl says, they'd be just as embarrassing if it was Hillary.

[Torie]

Sure, with some.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Sure, with some.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

No (sane).

[Scam of God]

To an extent, but not for all of them. A lot of it also has to do with the marvelous way in which American conservatism promotes groupthink: many of them probably don't know why they oppose Obama, except that they're supposed to.

Now, I agree with them on many things, but I feel no love whatsoever for the Tea Party rabble. It's just another attempt by conservatives to pretend that they are populists.

[Associate Justice PiT]

Sure, with some.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

No (sane).

Respectfully, that's not even logical.

[Stranger in a strange land]

of course, though it's not a factor for many of them, nor is it the primary factor for most.

[Scam of God]

I love how Libertas voted 'No', as if he knew every Tea Partier on an individual basis.

Or maybe he was making a collective assumption?

[JSojourner]

I don't think so, they'd be acting just as crazily if Hillary were President.

Exactly.  Or John Kerry.  It might be classism, but it's not racism.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

I don't think so, they'd be acting just as crazily if Hillary were President.

Exactly.  Or John Kerry.  It might be classism, but it's not racism.

I doubt I'd ever hear the word n with Hillary or Kerry, like I have with Obama.  Sure everyone gets lathered up for one reason or another no matter who is President, but Obama has an extra thing on his plate, even if in very small amounts......

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Sure, with some.

A small minority, I think.

[JSojourner]

I don't think so, they'd be acting just as crazily if Hillary were President.

Exactly.  Or John Kerry.  It might be classism, but it's not racism.

I doubt I'd ever hear the word n with Hillary or Kerry, like I have with Obama.  Sure everyone gets lathered up for one reason or another no matter who is President, but Obama has an extra thing on his plate, even if in very small amounts......

Yeah, GM -- I mean, I can see it the way Torie puts it.  Of course there are SOME righties who are bigots and therefore, they hate the President.  I am sure there are some Democrats who hate him for the same reason.  It's not like we're immune to hate or stupidity.

But Hillary would have the added problem of dealing with foes who hate her because she's a woman.  Kerry because he's "too bookish".  Maybe even some anti-Catholic bigotry would rear itself, though one must surely hope that ship sailed in 1960.

I dunno.  I just know I don't want to be some knee jerk liberal who screams "racist" everytime someone opposes my President.  Most of them are dumb enough without having to be considered racists, to boot.  But yes -- you and Torie both make a good point.  (as usual!)

[pogo stick]

No. Not the majority. Maybe 14% (which are white trash rednecks anyway) but the majority is not racist.

[Хahar 🤔]

Yes, it is a factor. Not the determining factor, of course.

[Psychic Octopus]

No, though certainly with some. My dad's a teabagger, and we have friends from different ethnic groups.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Is it a factor?  Sure - I'm sure there are some people out there who are racially motivated (as is going to be with any large group of people).  Is it a significant factor?  No.

[TeePee4Prez]

Sure, with some.  We'd have different problems with Hillary though, but still the same concept.  This was a large part of my argument for Joe Biden.  As much as he says a lot of gaffes, you can't claim the "elite" card like you could Kerry, the "immoral Clinton" card like you could Hillary and of course the race card like you could with Obama.  However, Obama was the best of the rest which is why I supported a Biden/Obama ticket years ago.  Biden has the experience and plays very well to blue collar whites and Obama as VP would have had his feet wet by 2016 to run.  Biden will/should not run in 2016.

[JSojourner]

I did note a teabagger sign the other day...

African Lion or Lyin' African...

And there is now a web site for Jolly Obama banks (a ripoff of the Jolly n cast iron banks that were so popular in the 1920's and 30's.)

[opebo]

It is the predominant and defining factor of american conservatism.

[Phony Moderate]

It is the predominant and defining factor of american conservatism.

[TeePee4Prez]

I did note a teabagger sign the other day...

African Lion or Lyin' African...

And there is now a web site for Jolly Obama banks (a ripoff of the Jolly n cast iron banks that were so popular in the 1920's and 30's.)

Of course, I feel like the tea baggers like to use race to advance their agenda.  Good ol' divide and conquer is back!  Liking the health plan= socialism or worse "n-lover".

[Ogre Mage]

Yes it is a factor.  Whatever the basis for ideological opposition, some of the opposition to President Obama is expressed in racist terms.  Frequently it is semi-veiled, such as this "birther" nonsense.  Occasionally it is blatant.