The new McCain line--Bill Clinton was a racial unifier, tossed under the bus:
Schmidt sees a sort of political soul mate in Bill Clinton. "Say whatever you want about Bill Clinton," Schmidt said, "but it's deeply unfair to suggest his criticism of Obama was race-based. President Clinton was a force for unity in this country on this subject. Every American should be proud of his record as both a governor and president. But we knew it was coming in our direction because they did it against a President of the United State of their own party."
Right. The same guy who gave us the Sista Souljah moment--the term that we can't bury--was a "force for unity" on race. I actually don't think he was a force for disunity. I just don't think Clinton helped or hurt the cause much. For every advance he made for "racial unity," there's a black woman who he tossed over the bridge. But what do I know, I'm just a black guy in Harlem. Schmidt, meanwhile, has real credentials--he's a Republican trying to win a campaign. As we all know, nobody can speak with more authority on unifying the races than Republicans trying to win.
The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons, and an Unlikely Road to Manhood 
I don't think a white man from the South will ever be a "force for unity". It will probably take another tall fellow from Illinois for that.
(my first "Atlantic" comment - congratulations Ta-Nehisi)
Posted by Michael O'Neill | August 4, 2008 4:14 PM