Now
Fair
22°
High
32°
Low
16°
Full Forecast

Jobs

Cars

Homes

Rentals

Alerts

Subscribe
Home > News > Local
Bookmark Us   •   Make Us Your Homepage

Race unspoken hurdle at Democratic National Convention

Comments 17 comment(s)  
E-mail Story E-mail Story
Print Story Print Story
Share  Share
Text Size: 
Tools Sponsor

BY DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

Monday, Aug 25, 2008 - 02:50:51 pm CDT

DENVER— The unspoken word.

“I think the support is coming; they’ve just got to get past that one stop sign,” Ken Mass of Omaha said Sunday.

The president of the State AFL-CIO didn’t want to identify the hurdle that stands in the way of support for Barack Obama by many normally Democratic union members.

Story Photo
Democratic National Convention: About 1500 peace demonstrators march through the streets of Denver Sunday afternoon from the State Capitol to the Pepsi Center where the Democratic National Convention convenes Monday night. The demonstrators temporarily blocked the entrance to the Center, sitting down and chanted peace slogans, but dispersed when asked by police. No arrests were made. (William Lauer)

Related Media

Democratic National Convention

Follow Nebraska's delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Denver,  Aug. 25-28. (Laura Meerkatz / JournalStar.com)...

Comments: 0
Rated:

Because it is race.

“They need to understand Obama would be a voice for working men and women,” Mass said, “and begin to feel comfortable with him.

“They need to come to realize there would be someone in the White House who cares for them,” he said.

“And I believe it will come,” Mass said during an interview at the suburban Denver Embassy Suites that serves as Nebraska’s Democratic national convention headquarters hotel.

As the presidential contest between Obama and John McCain narrows, Mass said, “labor could be the most important piece of the puzzle” in November.

Mass represents 45,000 union members in Nebraska.

One of Hillary Clinton’s strongholds — and Obama’s weaknesses — in this year’s primary contests in key states like Pennsylvania and Ohio was the labor vote. A substantial minority of Democratic voters have told pollsters that race is a factor in determining their votes.

Mass is the only unpledged member of the Nebraska delegation, but he said he’ll cast his first ballot vote Wednesday night for Obama.

The roll call vote is designed to allow supporters of Clinton to honor her with their votes before the convention formally chooses Obama as the first African American ever nominated by one of the major parties for president.

Mass originally favored Sen. Joe Biden in the 2008 Democratic contest, so he’s pleased Obama chose the Delaware senator as his vice presidential running mate.

“Joe Biden will help with working men and women,” Mass said.

“He’s my kind of guy. He’s tough. He’s a fighter.”

Biden will help attract the votes of working families, Mass said.

Clinton can rally their support with a memorable speech to the convention on Tuesday night, Mass said.

“She needs to nail it. She needs to say it’s OK, come aboard.”

Democratic State Chairman Steve Achelpohl of Omaha said Obama has “picked a great running mate with a wealth of experience” who will toughen the ticket.

“Biden’s a street-fighter with the ability to fight back” when Republicans attack Obama, he said.

Achelpohl expects “a very close election” in November.

“We live in a conservative country,” he said.

The racial factor is hard to measure and “makes predicting the outcome very difficult,” he said.

But what if Obama was elected? Achelpohl exclaimed during an interview at the hotel.

“Imagine what America will look like the morning after to the rest of the world. Imagine the changed perspective the rest of the world would have,” he said.

“We’ve lost our moral compass the last eight years. Obama can get it back for us.”

Mass said union members need to recognize the differences between Obama and McCain on health care, Social Security, trade agreements and the ability to organize in the workplace.

Anti-Obama traffic on the Internet, including the lie that he is a Muslim or unpatriotic, have undermined some of that support, Mass said.

Both Achelpohl and Mass said they believe Obama can win a presidential electoral vote in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District and could pick up a second one in the 1st District, which includes Lincoln.

“They are very obtainable,” Mass said, and labor is doing its part by registering voters.

“We absolutely can win in the 2nd District,” Achelpohl said.

“Obama will have a tremendous ground game in the 2nd District,” he said. The district is composed of metropolitan Omaha,.

Nebraska awards two electoral votes statewide and one to the winner of each of the three congressional districts.

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com


$1 Sunday Delivery - Subscribe Today!
Local > Back to Top of Story

Post Your Comment

Standards and Rules
All posts to JournalStar.com are subject to our Terms and Standards.
Your posted comment will appear after it has been approved.
Frequently asked questions about story commenting.
(optional)
   
Hide Comments Hide Comments   Newest First Newest First  
Obama-Biden Supporter wrote on August 25, 2008 2:54 am:
" We absolutely have to get this incredibly bright,thoughtful,articulate and caring man into office for the future of our country. It's in bad shape right now and we know how it got that way. No thinking person wants more of the same.The country can't afford it. It's that simple! "

 Jerome wrote on August 25, 2008 6:06 am:
" It's about time there is a Black man in the white house. If he isn't elected then that just shows the racism that still exists. And don't give me that crap about reverse racism because every Black is voting for him. They are not voting for him because he is Black, but because he is the best man for the job. Nothing against Hillary, but she ain't Black. "

 WCG wrote on August 25, 2008 7:08 am:
" I've been very disappointed with America, with all the racist talk - and the lying emails - about Barack Obama. I thought most of us were past that by now. But John McCain can still raise the old hatreds by pairing Obama with young white women in campaign ads. How dumb - and how slimy - can you get?

McCain doesn't even try to push his own positions. Frankly, he's changed them so many times that I don't think he even remembers what they are. (And he's certainly been confused about critical foreign policy details. Why does he get a pass on all that stuff?) No, he's chosen the low road, just like Bush. Sleazy campaigning - 'Swift Boating' - against the other guy, even using Karl Rove's people. And in this case, the other guy is black, which is just icing on the cake. But are we really going to make the same mistake AGAIN??? Look how that has turned out! Get over your prejudices, people. This is our country that we've been destroying, and only Barack Obama can change our disastrous course. "

 Ignignokt wrote on August 25, 2008 8:51 am:
" Indeed, as made evident by Jerome, racism is most definitely alive in America today. As he said, "If he isn't elected then that just shows the racism that still exists." So what if Hillary or McCain aren't black? Race should NOT factor in to ANYONE'S vote...that means that nobody should vote against Obama just because he's black, nor should they vote FOR Obama just because he's black. They should vote based on who they believe will best represent their interests. If I do not feel that Obama represents my interests, then I will not vote for him. That is not racism, it's freedom of choice. Merriam-Webster.com defines racism as, "a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race". If you vote for Obama just because he's black...THAT is racism.

Obama-Biden's new campaign slogan..."Hey, bad to worse is still change!" "

 For America wrote on August 25, 2008 9:18 am:
" I'm an honest, hard working, small business owner. I don't have a big union negotiating my pension and pay. I like Obama as an individual, but I cannot support him because of his policy stands that will hurt hundreds of thousands just like me. I would like to sell my business in a few years to help pay for my children's college and hopefully some retirement. If Obama is elected and increases capital gains taxes, as he has said, it will become very difficult for my children to afford college because of the additional taxes I will pay just for being an honest, successful business owner. That one position makes or breaks my family's future. It's an easy vote. "

 ALB wrote on August 25, 2008 9:54 am:
" I'm not voting for Obama. It's not because he's black, it's because I don't hold the same views about things that he does. I wouldn't have voted for Hillary either for the same reason, but I guess if Hillary had gotten the nod and didn't win, then, instead of being racist we'd all be sexist. If Obama loses get ready to hear lots of racist rhetoric from the left. "

 DJ wrote on August 25, 2008 10:02 am:
" Race keeps coming up with Obama but if you look at the polls there is a lot more racism towards McCain. One of the latest national polls show that 39% of white voters are voting for Obama, while only 7% of black voters are voting for McCain. "

 Darwin wrote on August 25, 2008 10:54 am:
" Us vs Them is one of the most basic drives in all living things. In nature it is helful if you want to stay alive. Wolves protect their territory against other packs to ensure they have room to hunt. Ants defend their nest against ants from other nests who want to steal their eggs. Being able to tell if the fish next to you is your friend or a shark keeps you alive.

Trouble is that humans have taken Us vs Them to more and more drastic extremes as our numbers increase. We devide ourselves by nation. We devide ourselves by color. We devide ourselves by what side of the street we live on. We devide ourselves by what TV shows we prefer! Instead of being Us (humans) vs Them (lions), it has become Us (only those who are EXACTLY like us) vs Them (Everyone else).

If every human were suddenly the same color overnight, and every map dissapeared, and everyone spoke the same language, we would still find some way to devide ourselves. Eye color, toe length, having a freckle on your left ear lobe.

Today we are one step closer to erasing that built-in divisiveness. Tomorrow we may take another step. Someday, all of humanity may be Us. Someday the whole Earth may be Us. It is the little steps that make up the journey. "

 happygael wrote on August 25, 2008 11:06 am:
" There are a lot of reasons I cannot support Obama. None have anything to do with his race/ethnic background. A long tima ago the Democratic party deserted the working man. We did not desert therm. The union heads today are just interested in getting a democratic victory. They have no interest in getting any further benefits for the blue collar( union member) worker. "

 JB wrote on August 25, 2008 11:14 am:
" I believe most true Democrats are way beyond the "race" issue. Only right winged Republicans and Dixie-crats may have issue with it. Our party is for the everday person, and NOT for what is just good for the rich and big business. "

 Dem Crutch wrote on August 25, 2008 11:38 am:
" The Dems will always want an element of racism out there, it's just a crutch to keep them somewhat standing. The Dem politicians love race cards and class warfare, it guarantees votes for them. It makes liberal democrat politicians feel needed. Dems won't do anything to empower people that have been dependent. How many years have they been the "party of the poor"? Nothing has changed! People are still down and out. When will the down and out realize that the Dems WANT them that way? "

 Jay wrote on August 25, 2008 2:54 pm:
" Not the Democrats fault the Republican Party, the party of Lincoln, offers nothing for blacks and minorities. The are to anti-people I don't understand why anyone who's not wealthy would vote for them. "

 RE Dem Crutch wrote on August 25, 2008 4:44 pm:
" After watching the Bush administration the past 7 years, I would swear to God it was the Republican party that wants the people to be down and out, because they are so good at it. "

 Bristol Mercheson wrote on August 26, 2008 3:52 am:
" Unbelievable. “Race an unspoken hurdle at Democrat(ic) National Convention."

With the opening gavel of the Democrat's 2008 convention behind us, it seems surreal to be reading in Nebraska’s second largest newspaper, that the so-called party of the people is struggling with the issue of race in regard to it‘s 2008 presidential nominee.

No wonder many voters -- including a growing number of Democrats -- are feeling the party and its top leaders have become a national laughing stock. Indeed, consider that in the last two years we have seen the Dems:

1. Elect some of the most inept congressional leaders in history and then see them demonstrate they really haven’t a clue about how to lead.

2. Conduct a primary election campaign that at times threatened to rip a good portion of the party -- if not the country -- apart over issues of race and gender, of all things.

3. Devise primary election rules that granted party bosses super delegate status at its national convention so they retain a greater say than rank-and-file Dems in electing the party’s presidential nominee.

Frankly, given these circumstances, should there be any doubt why some Dems -- who feel a greater loyalty to country than political party at this dangerous time in our nation’s history -- are strongly considering doing what many previously deemed unthinkable -- casting their votes for John McCain.


Bristol Mercheson "

 FYI Bristol...... wrote on August 26, 2008 8:09 am:
" The party of the people tried to get your fuel prices reduced a few weeks ago. Here's what the GOP obstructionists did in the House:

On July 24th, 2008

H. Res. 6578, the Consumer Energy Supply Act of 2008 was rushed before congress seeking to provide quick relief at the pump, something that drilling absolutely CANNOT do. The measure received strong majority support in a House vote of 268 to 157, but failed to receive the two-thirds necessary to pass under suspension of the rules. All Democrats present voted for the measure, while 157 Representatives voted against it. The measure would direct the release of a small amount of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, bringing down gas prices and sending a strong message to energy speculators.

The American people have paid for more than 700 million barrels of oil to be held in this government stockpile. At significant taxpayer expense, the SPR is currently 97 percent full - its highest level ever.

You can see the names of the 157 representatives who voted for BIG oil interests over yours with this link. And guess what.....you''ll NEVER believe it!....

ALL 157 are members of the Gas, Oil & Petroleum party.. Stunned?
Furthermore, give ya one guess who ALL THREE reps from Nebraska sided with.
Ding! You got it! Smith, Terry and Fortenberry all sided with Arab oil interests over yours and mine.

See who the 157 are here, Bristol, and contribute to their opponents soon and often!

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2008-527&sort=vote

There is NOTHING laughable about what the GOP has foisted upon America the last 7 1/2 years. They're done. "

 hatred for oil wrote on August 26, 2008 10:01 am:
" Isn't hatred for a natural resource that is the backbone of the world's economy a bit crazy? It is time for the Deomcrat party to stop being all about hating this and that and tell us what their vision is. We already know you hate everything you call BIG except for one...government. Yes yes yes corporations are EVIL we all know you think this, but radical terrorists are not evil, we must UNDERSTAND them. Give it up already crazies. Corporations and natural resources are not evil because they are not alive. Put your hate into something that deserves it. "

 Viva la Differance wrote on August 26, 2008 1:53 pm:
" Race the UNSPOKEN hurdle??? Gosh all I can SEE at the Democratic National Convention is race. It's right front and center! Sure, it's a hurdle. Look at the GOP and see how THEY address race. The best they can do is Clarence Thomas who carries himself like a man with only a vague remembrance of a place called Africa. "

Ads by Yahoo!