Strange Bedfellows: Blacks And Applachian Whites
More Webb. Pay Attention, now. Watch him, at once, shut down Pat Buchanan, but at the same time give Appalachia the humanity it deserves. Check out his pitch for the real dream ticket--blacks and screwed over whites (Isn't that a page out LBJ's book?). Listen to his nuance critique of Affirmative Action, which he defends as a matter of historical redress for African-Americans, but attacks as a means to multiculturalism. I find him pretty convincing.
Folks, I have to tell you, this campaign has made me a better person. I was never a Farrakhanite or a "Kill Whitey" dude. But in my writing, in my personal life, and probably on this blog, I've been quick to deal in generalities. It's knee-jerk response to watching other people do it to black folks, but its wrong, dehumanizing, and intellectually lazy. It's a weak man who deals in broad stereotypes in order to avoid the complexities of actual human beings. Listen to what the man is saying about the commonalities between Appalachia and black America. I was half-joking about the endorsement before. Now, I don't know how Barack doesn't chose Webb. It would be a beautiful union between two thinking people, two intellectuals, two writers, both of them representing two communities that this country really needs to come to terms with.
Folks, I have to tell you, this campaign has made me a better person. I was never a Farrakhanite or a "Kill Whitey" dude. But in my writing, in my personal life, and probably on this blog, I've been quick to deal in generalities. It's knee-jerk response to watching other people do it to black folks, but its wrong, dehumanizing, and intellectually lazy. It's a weak man who deals in broad stereotypes in order to avoid the complexities of actual human beings. Listen to what the man is saying about the commonalities between Appalachia and black America. I was half-joking about the endorsement before. Now, I don't know how Barack doesn't chose Webb. It would be a beautiful union between two thinking people, two intellectuals, two writers, both of them representing two communities that this country really needs to come to terms with.
There's a case against Webb as Veep Candidate that suggests that he's better as a Senator, and that his seat wouldn't be so safe. I dunno. An Obama/Webb ticket looks pretty dadgum strong though and a VP Webb just might be able to save his seat in purple Virginia. I've liked Wes Clark for some time too, since he brings all kinds of military cred, Hillary support, and possibly Arkansas, but Webb would really excel in the traditional VP attack dog (er...dawg) role. Might-could deliver Virginia too.
Obama/Webb '08!
Posted by: ed | May 21, 2008 at 03:02 PM
TC,
On point as always. Choosing Webb as his running mate would put a lot of voters (poor Whites, military folks, etc.) back in play for Obama. I only hope that someone who matters can see the wisdom in that course of action.
Posted by: Hill Rat | May 21, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Thanks for this. I wasn't familiar with Webb at all. He'd be an acceptable alternative to Edwards, but the question is whether Clinton will support him (because she'll probably ask for veto power over the vp nominee).
Posted by: Lester Spence | May 23, 2008 at 06:04 AM