If Obama loses...

It's an honor just to be nominated I suppose.

But please let him win so this becomes moot!

Would not want him teaching any of my family with his race bitterness-

This is unconscionably defeatist. The fact is, there is NO alternative and we must work for Obama to win, not because he's a Democrat, no because he's a black man, not for any other reason than the welfare of the country is pinned to it. Frankly we cannot take four more years of Republican incompetence. Obama MUST win.

Randall Kennedy believes that if Obama loses "...an important ingredient of [the voters'] error is racial prejudice."
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First, I can only at his silly hyperbole of calling the decision an "error". Based upon what, exactly, would this be an error?
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Which leads to the heart of the matter. Obama isn't doing better in the polling (when any Democrat SHOULD be) because he has nothing to offer, because he represents a political party that offers nothing, that is in fact dead; a party that died decades ago but lacks the decorum and good sense to just lie down.
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Racial prejudice continues to exist, no doubt, but for the Obamabots it is their crutch. Or their cudgel. If one dares to not worship at the altar of celebrityhood, one is instantly beaten with the accusation of bigotry.

I will feel bad for America, for here we had the opportunity to elect a young American that is intelligent and honest and we failed to see the real, good possibilities !! Instead, his opponents told lies, distorted his image and his record and those lies and distortions were believed !! That is the astounding fact, Senator Obama is a human being and you know what that means, America, he's not perfect !! He is head and shoulders above his opposition and America also, knows that. What is really stymying them is change, not the kind that the opposition mouths, but real change and they are afraid of it !! African-Americans have toiled in the vineyards for centuries in this great country and now one of them asks the nation to entrust him with the highest Office in the land and I say, we owe them, at least, that !! I don't have to list the litany of African-Americans' contributions to the life of this nation, we know that. What are we afraid of, we survived, two terms of the most incompetent administration in our history !! Senator Obama will make a great President, if he is given fair consideration !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.

Amen!

Why is it that no one (who's male, that is), NO ONE, no MAN can see that we women who backed Hillary feel the same as this writer.

He says: [[If Obama is defeated, I will, for a brief time, be stunned by feelings of dejection, anger and resentment.]]

So it's an honest piece by this guy, but whining by women. This guy will be elevated and honor for his eloquence; we were told to "get over it." Mostly, we were told to get out of the way for the black guy. He was way more important.

Please. Spare me.

We don't even need to discuss Obama losing. HE WON'T..I have confidence in the American people and the star dust flowing from Palin will soon settle and the voters will realize that they were NEARLY duped ... How can you have confidence in a person that cannot even set down with major reporters in an unrehersed atmosphere and answer questions..She has to be shielded from the public unless it is for speaking her practiced rhetoric..This is not what we need for the Second in command of the free world...

What in the world makes you think ALL Black Americans are going to vote for Obama?
I am a Black American and I will be voting for McCain/Palin!
I don't care what color Obama is - I don't like the content of his character. If he needs 100% of the Black American vote to win then he will LOSE!

Identity politics are alive and well. Women comprise more than half of the U.S. electorate. It took 24 years, but now both major parties have put a woman on their ticket. I truly hope Governor Palin will be the one to finally shatter one of the final national leadership ceilings. Governor Palin is the most relatable and real politician to come along in a very long time. If McCain/Palin loses I will also feel "disappointed, frustrated, hurt. I'll conclude that a fabulous opportunity has (once again) been lost."
The virulent opposition to her by both the MSM and the Democrats (or are they one and the same?) tells me that she is the right choice and that she can do it. There are book smarts and street smarts and by his pick of Governor Palin, it looks as though McCain has the street smarts to be the next president.

Spare us, Beth.
You're proving the point.
It's about policy anyway.

Here's what I don't get...

If 90% of African-Americans vote for Obama, that's not racism.

But if any whites don't vote for Obama, that's racism.

When is it we start judging by the content of your character and not the color of your skin?

I was wondering what excuse the democrats would use for losing this time.

00 the republicans stole it

04 it was because of the swiftboat ads

08 it will because we are racists.

I resent the racist remarks made in this article.

Set-up the premise now - if Obama loses, America is still a bunch of racists. In order not to be labeled a racist, one must vote for Obama.

Typical left-wing academia at its worst.

Beth,

The difference between you and this guy is, this guy came up with the right conclusion on his own. See, look, he wrote about it -- even before it happened (God save us if it does happen)...

Barack Obama for President of the UNITED States of America.

Go Barack !

Starting to let go. That's good.

Barak is a far left liberal and that is why he will lose.

America can't afford the 1st and 3rd most liberal Senators as President and VP. Obama should never have even been nominated, he has no experience, and a very "shady" background. Gore, Kerry and Obama, whose next Castro or Kim ? If the Republic is to survive, Obama must lose.

You're an idiot. You are the one making this election an election based on race. Guess what? It has nothing to do with race. People don't like Obama because he's black, they don't like him because of his socialist policies and his plans for wealth redistribution. His economic policies will destroy this country's economy. Face the facts. Color is not an issue.

We do understand, Beth; and you've had 2 months since she conceded in June, so get over it.

Lets grow up here and start stop being so racist......We are all Americans so why do we have to look at every thing through racial glasses......Barack is a Man its fine for African Americans to support him like anyone does to people they Identify with.......But it also fine to criticize him like any other Canidate......He's just not ready to be President and he should have been the VP.....

I agree with the previous poster. There are book smarts and street smarts. Obama is both. Palin is a sleazy street smart with no intellect, just like Bush is a book smart (is he? maybe he got his Harvard MBA by mail) but not street smart. One is not enough.

Obama will win. Hispanics for Obama!! Women for Obama! Seniors for Obama! I belong to all three groups!!!

We do understand, Beth; we also can see that it's been 3 months since Hillary conceded in June; so get over it.

Or, one could conclude--rightly--that Barack Obama squandered his opportunity to become president by abandoning the premise that caused him to surge ahead to an insurmountable primary lead over Hillary Clinton, instead choosing to crawl into the mud and trading jabs, even though Clinton could not have overcome the "math" at that point.

Obama continues to move away from the original premise of his campaign by engaging McCain in a pissing contest.

The reason that Obama is going to lose this election has little to do with racism and everything to do with a fundamental tactical miscalculation resulting in Obama running a race that is less about reform and more about politics as usual.

Obama said himself that there will be people who will vote both ways due to race, it's the issues that he is running for. If Obama loses this election, it will be because the American people trusted the policies of John McCain more than they trusted those of Obama. To say otherwise is not only to insult America, but Obama himself.

Randall Kennedy describes the typical partisan, they cannot understand the other-side and therefore they demonize whoever it is that comes to such wrong conclusions. When will the vitrol stop? I certainly hope people don't vote for Obama based on guys like R. Kennedy just like I hope people don't vote for McCain because of guys like Sean Hannity.

In 2005, as Chair of my District I supported a black candidate and was told by my Democratic constituents I would be impeached if I continued in that support. I resigned. This year I'm voting for McCain. To me Obama simply cannot gain my trust. After 19 months I don't know when he'll stick to what he says and when he won't. He's secretive in ways that cause me grave concern and has too many issues and connections in his past for my comfort. So I agree with an earlier poster, this is about the content of character, not the color of skin.

To me the Democratic Party still doesn't get it. Clinton - love her or hate her, had shown at the polls she had the better chance, yet the Rules Committee chose Obama on May 31.

Candidates should be chosen on their chance of success. The Republican base doesn't like McCain, but he was chosen because he had the best chance to win. If Democrats lose again and can't learn that lesson they are truly doomed.

Here's a good way to stop racism: shut up about the color of the man's skin, whether you're saying how surprised you would be if a black man could receive the nomination and lose the election, or if you're wondering why black conservatives wouldn't vote for him. Racism is racism, even when you yourself are black.

My vote against Obama will be a vote AGAINST racism. Against "race-card" playing. Against the close friends of the racist Rev. Wright. Against anti-semitism. Against the kind of "vote for me to prove you're not racist" filth that Frank James and Randall Kennedy peddle.

Not sure he said that it's an equal amount of people each way, Jeff, just that he probably has no control over it and doesn't want to run a Jesse Jackson type of campaign. Nobody can say how many people will vote based on race. As for vitriol, we know where it's coming from.... Steve Schmidt. Your sentiments as to Hannity are appreciated here.

I'm sorry but I profoundly disagree with some of these sentiments expressed here. REality just doesn't back some of this up.

In fact, I think if Obama loses, it will be because his campaigh has been extraordinarily exclusive.

First, we found out that the most racist demographic in America is Black Democrats. Not only did they flock to Obama to the exclusion of other candidates, but Barack Obama somehow managed to turn the Clintons into racists.

The Obama camp talked about rural Americans behind their backs; his campaign ridiculed small town mayors. Those are facts.

Now, the Obama camp is ridiculing older people and those who don't email. Why? I don't get why he feels a need to ridicule people?

No, Barack Obama blasted his own party to smithereens. Are Democrats all just a bunch of racists, or does Obama have some culpabilty?

I think the saddest part of this column is that the man will blame it on America's prejudices and it will probably have more to do, in reality, with Barack Obama's own prejudices.

One blogger mentioned Obama being honest,undoubtly the blogger dosen't live in Chicago-

Don't worry "my friends", it's doesn't matter that McCain doesn't know anything about economics, foreign policy, healthcare etc etc etc.

He's a POW!
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRpIfTDHG2U
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The reason why Obama WILL lose is not because of racism but because of his skewed vision that looks down on our great nation.
The racist musings of people like the spineless coward who wrote this will only amplify that weak America for the sake of a strong "international community" vision to the rest of the voting public.

Well, it'll be important to keep your chin up. I for one would send you a Hallmark card.

However, I will be celebrating that the majority chose a candidate for his plans for this country on earmarks, less government growth, no added advancements to greatly increase welfare which is finally under control, no wealth redistribution and back to feeling that you can see our candidates talk of PRIDE in ones country without media acting as if it's a negative thought.

I feel there will be some who are less educatate who will riot greatly in the streets.

I'm sure that Oprah will lose more eyelashes, and Whoopie won't being using the word nigger on her show anymore and claiming slavery will be coming back.... after a period time, when reality has sunk in...all will be calm once again and the annimosity that was stirred by the Obama campaign will disappear right along with the idea of replacing the anthem with something else.

There is nothing wrong with being happily stinking rich and utterly detached. Nothing, that is, unless you make criticizing your political opponent as "elitist" and "out of touch" a centerpiece of your campaign. Rick Davis, speaking on behalf of his $100 million man John McCain, earlier this month offered the latest formulation of Barack Obama as an effete, aloof denizen of the upper class:
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"Only celebrities like Barack Obama go to the gym three times a day, demand 'MET-RX chocolate roasted-peanut protein bars and bottles of a hard-to-find organic brew - Black Forest Berry Honest Tea' and worry about the price of arugula."
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Of course, Davis' "arugula war" is just another attempt at misdirection. After all, John McCain's $5 million threshold where "you move from middle class to rich" is just the latest episode of his enduring disconnect from the real lives of the American people.
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For starters, McCain in April declared that there had been "great progress economically" during the Bush years. On more than one occasion, he diagnosed Americans' concerns over the dismal U.S. economy as "psychological." (Phil Gramm, McCain's close friend and adviser supposedly excommunicated over his "whiners" remarks, was back with the campaign last week.) McCain, a man who owns eight homes nationwide, in March lectured Americans facing foreclosure that they ought to be "doing what is necessary -- working a second job, skipping a vacation, and managing their budgets -- to make their payments on time." And when all else fails, McCain told the people of the economically devastated regions in Martin County, Kentucky and Youngstown, Ohio, there's always eBay.

In his defense, McCain's shocking tone-deafness may just be a matter of perspective. When you're as well off as he is, anything below a $5 million income (a figure exceeding that earned on average by the top 0.1% of Americans) seems middle class.

*The $100 Million Man*
Courtesy of his wife Cindy's beer distribution fortune (one her late father apparently chose not to share with her half-sister Kathleen), the McCains are worth well over $100 million. (In the two-page tax summary she eventually released to the public, Cindy McCain reported another $6 million in 2006.) As Salon reported back in 2000, the second Mrs. McCain's millions were essential in launching her husband's political career. Unsurprisingly, the Weekly Standard's Matthew Continetti, who four years ago called Theresa Heinz-Kerry a "sugar mommy," has been silent on the topic of Cindy McCain.

*The Joys of (Eight) Home Ownership*
While fellow adulterer John Edwards was pilloried for his mansion, John McCain's eight homes around the country have received little notice or criticism. His properties include a 10 acre lake-side Sedona estate, euphemistically called a "cabin" by the McCain campaign, and a home featured in Architectural Digest. The one featuring "remote control window coverings" was recently put up for sale. Still, their formidable resources did not prevent the McCains from failing to pay taxes on a tony La Jolla, California condo used by Cindy's aged aunt.

*The Anheuser-Busch Windfall*
As it turns out, the beauty of globalization is in the eye of the beholder. While John McCain apparently played a critical role in facilitating DHL's takeover of Airborne (and with it, the looming loss of 8,000 jobs in Wilmington, Ohio), Cindy McCain is set to earn a staggering multi-million dollar pay-day from the acquisition of Anheuser-Busch by the Belgian beverage giant, In Bev. As the Wall Street Journal reported in July, Mrs. McCain runs the third largest Anheuser-Busch distributorship in the nation, and owns between $2.5 and $5 million in the company's stock. Amazingly, while Missouri's politicians of both parties lined up to try to block the sale, John McCain held a fundraiser in the Show Me State even as the In Bev deal was being finalized.

*McCain's $370,000 Personal Tax Break*
Earlier this year, the Center for American Progress analyzed John McCain's tax proposals. The conclusion? McCain's plan is radically more regressive than even that of President Bush, delivering 58% of its benefits to the wealthiest 1% of American taxpayers. McCain's born-again support for the Bush tax cuts has one additional bonus for Mr. Straight Talk: the McCains would save an estimated $373,000 a year.

*Paying Off $225,000 Credit Card Debt - Priceless*
That massive windfall from his own tax plan will come in handy for John McCain. As was reported in June, the McCains were carrying over $225,000 in credit card debt. The American Express card - don't leave your homes without it.

*Charity Begins at Home*
As Harpers documented earlier this year, the McCains are true believers in the old saying that charity begins at home:
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Between 2001 and 2006, McCain contributed roughly $950,000 to [their] foundation. That accounted for all of its listed income other than for $100 that came from an anonymous donor. During that same period, the McCain foundation made contributions of roughly $1.6 million. More than $500,000 went to his kids' private schools, most of which was donated when his children were attending those institutions. So McCain apparently received major tax deductions for supporting elite schools attended by his children.
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Ironically, the McCain campaign last week blasted Barack Obama for having attended a private school in Hawaii on scholarship. That attack came just weeks after John McCain held an event at his old prep school, Episcopal High, an institution where fees now top $38,000 a year.

*Private Jet Setters*
As the New York Times detailed back in April, John McCain enjoyed the use of his wife's private jet for his campaign, courtesy of election law loopholes he helped craft. Despite the controversy, McCain continued to use Cindy's corporate jet. For her part, Cindy McCain says that even with skyrocketing fuel costs, "in Arizona the only way to get around the state is by small private plane."

*Help on the Homefront*
In these tough economic times, the McCains are able to stretch their household budget. As the AP reported in April, "McCain reported paying $136,572 in wages to household employees in 2007. Aides say the McCains pay for a caretaker for a cabin in Sedona, Ariz., child care for their teenage daughter, and a personal assistant for Cindy McCain."

*Well-Heeled in $520 Shoes*
If clothes make the man, then John McCain has it made. As Huffington Post noted in July, "He has worn a pair of $520 black leather Ferragamo shoes on every recent campaign stop - from a news conference with the Dalai Lama to a supermarket visit in Bethlehem, PA." It is altogether fitting that McCain wore the golden loafers during a golf outing with President George H.W. Bush in which he rode around in cart displaying the sign, "Property of Bush #41. Hands Off."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N38Ug_ugzXs
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I resent and am appalled and deeply offended by all the talk that the only people not voting for obama is due to their being racist. Is everyone not voting for McCain/Palin simply because they're agist or sexist? This is self-defeating and I think that attacking American's in such a way, is one of the things that is hurting the Obama ticket. People don't want to be told how they feel, and to be told that they're evil just because they don't like a person, because some Ignorant assholes have assumed that they know how all caucasians think. Obama HAD my vote, until all this racism and Jeremiah Wright and such came out. I'm sick and tired of it, and because of this, I'm for the McCain/Palin ticket all the way. I WON"T have someone tell me how I think. So all you who think you know how I feel, or why I vote the way I do without even asking, can go swim in hades.

In a twisted sort of way I almost hope McCain wins this election because with four more years of failed Bush/McCain policies the Republican party for all intents and purposes would be finished and they would be relegated to the 4th party gadfly status that they deserve.

My only worry is whether this country would survive it.

If you are struggling economically right now and you vote for John McBush and Caribou Barbie then you will deserve all of the hardship that a "President McCain" will give you.

And I am a retired white woman and I will be just as disappointed.

McCains time has come and gone and Palin is a proven liar and ladder climber. She transferred 5 times just to get her journalism certificate.

Wanting to turn back Roe and Wade would set Womens Rights back years!

We just need to hang tough, keep getting the word out and finally Obama is getting tough!

Apparently, Danielle, you don't read very well. Nobody has said that. Vote for who you think will be best for the country and stop crying.

The Obamabots are already conceding defeat, getting their excuses in order. The Obama campaign is the Dukakis and Kerry fiascoes all over again.
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Stick a fork in him, he's done!

Is it racist for 95% plus of the afro-american community to vote for Senator Obama?

I am a white-american and my vote is going to John McCain not because I am white but rather because I feel he can do a better job in Washington than Obama.

Agree with another poster.

When it was Hillary, women were whining.

When it is Obama, the guy is eloquent.

Double standard.

During this financial armagedon we need someone in office that has experience.

Now, is not the time for inexperience.

He'll do what Gore should have done after 2000:

Go on a vacation, and then come back and pick up right where he left off for 2012.

Hey Frank, there's an error in the headline. It should read "when" Obama loses and not "if." It's talk like this that will definitely make it a "when." Really, engaging in soft racism in order to call others racist is really the lowest of the low.

"I was wondering what excuse the democrats would use for losing this time.

00 the republicans stole it

04 it was because of the swiftboat ads

08 it will because we are racists.

I resent the racist remarks made in this article.

Posted by: dan | September 15, 2008 6:06 PM"

... And I resent being short and bald, but it doesn't make me tall with a full head of hair...

"If McCain and Palin lose, I personally will feel disappointed, frustrated, hurt. I'll conclude that a fabulous opportunity has been lost. I'll believe that American voters have made a huge mistake. And I'll think that an important ingredient of their error is sexual prejudice -- not the hateful, snarling, open bigotry that terrorized my parents in their youth, but rather a vague, sophisticated, low-key prejudice that is chameleonlike in its ability to adapt to new surroundings and to hide even from those firmly in its grip.

If McCain is defeated, I will, for a brief time, be stunned by feelings of dejection, anger and resentment. These will only be the stronger because the climate of this election year so clearly favors the Republicans, because this was supposed to be an election the Democrats couldn't afford to lose, and because in my view, the McCain Palin ticket is obviously superior to Obama's.

But I hope that soon thereafter I'll find solace and encouragement in contemplating this unprecedented development: A major political party nominated a woman for the second highest office in the land, and that ticket waged an intelligent, brave campaign in which many millions of Americans of both sexes enthusiastically supported an women's suffrage standard-bearer."

Race Race Race Race. It's racism dat did Barry in. Oh yeh it's always race.

Not Barry's voting record in Illinois. 130 present and "no position" taken or Decission actually made.

Not his organizing with Billy "The Bomber" Ayers. The records curiously sealed. What were they organizing???

Not the Law Review, at your school. How long was he "Present" and how many briefs did he prepare??? Maybe he was "Organizing his Memoirs". Why are his school records sealed. Didn't candidate George Bush have to present his?? Why the double standard. Racism??? Hmmmm.

Not his fancy mortgage sweet deal with Tony's wife. Arms length transaction anyone??? Sort of Chris Dodd and Kent Conrad and their sweet mortgage deals

Not his Chicago Machine Politics????? Axelrod the stratagist???

Shame on your intellectual duplicity and dishonesty.

Shame on you inability to grasp or even understand that it can be the positions Barry is taking. And MOST of all SHAME on you for working to bury Dr. Kings legacy where a man is judged by his deeds and not the color of his skin.

But you and Rev. Wright, Rev.? Al Sharpton, Rev. Jessie Jackson, Dr. Cornel West and who knows who else continue to live quite nicly playing and pandering to the Race card

Always play the race card Kind of the best deffinition of INSANITY is to do the same thing over and over EXPECTING a different outcome.